Robert Ward Jonas
August 24, 1956 - September 18, 2020
Obituary
Robert Ward Jonas (Rob), born 1956, grew up in Fircrest, Washington and died September 18, 2020. He was killed in a car accident when returning home from his elk hunting trip that he did annually with his brother-in-law, Tom. Rob would want everyone to know that he got his elk. He enjoyed 43 years of marriage to his best friend, partner and “spotter,” Kate. As a father and a grandfather, Rob evolved and grew with the changing needs and dynamics of his family. From a constant stable presence to a professional air drummer with baby hands and grand-baby paws alike, his compassion, insight, and humor molded us all.
Rob was preceded in death by his father, Robert. He is survived by his wife Kate, his three children Peter, Jessica, and Kristen, and five grandchildren, his mother, Melissa, mother-in-law, Elsie, brothers Patrick, Bryan, Jerry, Joe and sister Jimi. Too numerous to list in detail, there is a large community of unsavory supportive friends, family, faculty and students, deeply impacted by Rob’s life and death.
Being a tenured member of Green River College, Rob had a gift for mathematics and truly enjoyed conveying its intricacies to those who wanted to learn. Being a teacher was more about who he was, than what he did. Having an audience for his nerdy, often inappropriate, prankster shenanigans was an added benefit as much for Rob as for his students.
Although a less than average life span was granted, Rob certainly did not live an average life. There was no such thing as a small hobby, Rob had passions. A small interest would bud into massive collections and a honing array of skill sets often exemplified in the most quirky eccentric Rob like fashion.
Rob’s love for the outdoors was immense. From tuna and salmon fishing off of the coast, deer and elk hunting in the mountains, to rat and critter defense in the grain shed you could not tear Rob away from nature.
The Jonas family will be having a viewing for anyone wanting to come say a final “Yeehaw” to Rob on Saturday September 26, 2020 from 1-4:00 pm at Bonney Watson Funeral Home in Federal Way, Washington. Due to COVID there will not be a traditional ceremony, the family will announce a graveside service at Rob’s final resting place at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Best Buddy ever..I was truly blessed to know him. Allrighty Till I see you again.Love You..
See you in the happy hunting grounds Rob. Get things ready for the opener. Your Huntin buddies won’t soon forget you.
Still so hard to believe. Rob was such a wonderful colleague and teacher. He had such a positive impact on so many of us, including hundreds, likely thousands, of students. He was always positive, a bit of a prankster, and his love of his family was always on display. I miss him lots.
I am just so very grateful to have known Rob and enjoyed his wit and sunshine for so many years in our mathematics department. What a gift!
I will always remember Rob as a kind and compassionate man with a great sense of humor. I first met Rob when we hired him as an adjunct faculty member at Green River almost 20 years ago and later hired him as a tenure track faculty member (as soon as we had an opening and I could convince him to apply). He was an amazing instructor who won the Distinguished Faculty Award and whose classes were always quick to fill. He was loved by his students and colleagues alike (myself included). It was such a pleasure to know him as a math colleague, as his division chair, as his dean and then again as a colleague when we restructured and I would see him around campus. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word (or more) to brighten your day. I am honored to have known him and will always feel tremendously blessed that our paths crossed for as long as they did. He is already greatly missed by myself and so many others at Green River. My heartfelt condolences to his family as I keep them close in my heart and in my prayers.
Christie Gilliland
Rob was a regular visitor to the Assessment & Testing Center at Green River and always willing to help students navigate math placement. He will be greatly missed.
Rob was my GRC Math counselor, he would always cheer me on saying you can get to the next level, keep going. I will miss him dearly. Bless you Rob and bless your family during this time.
Such a nice guy to have in our building! He never failed to say hello. He will be greatly missed.