Dr. Robert James Lorence passed on Dec. 27, 2022 in Hermiston at the age of 82.
Robert was born in Yakima, Wash. on Dec. 19, 1940 to Charles Martin Lorence and Kathleen Esther Pollock Lorence.
During his early years, the family moved around the state of Washington following Charles’ construction work. They settled in Umatilla in 1949 where Charles, along with his brother and brother-in-law, built and ran ABC Service Chevron station across the highway from McNary. Bob learned his work ethic early, working at the station. He would run the station on Sundays so the men could have a day off.
He had a youth spent excelling in sports. He was the student body president of the class of 1959. Bob was co-captain of the 1958 state semi-finalist football team. He was named first team all-state in both offense and defense. He was elected to the Shrine game. Bob also played basketball, baseball and track.
Bob attended Columbia Basin College on an athletic scholarship and played football and baseball. Bob then attended Whitman College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. He played both football (captain) and baseball.
Bob then attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, N.Y., where he earned his doctorate in organic chemistry in 1968. While there, Bob met and married Judith Wopperer in 1965. Son Jon was born in 1966. The family followed Bob to Austin, Texas while Bob was a NIH postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas. Son Robert was born in 1968 in Austin. Next, Bob took a position as a research associate at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Va. In 1970, Bob joined the staff of Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, Va. as a chemistry instructor and department chair. In 1973 he became the dean of instruction at Dabney Lancaster College in Clifton Forge, Va. It was at this time daughter Jennifer was born in Roanoke, Va.
With a desire to return to the Pacific Northwest, Bob joined Centralia Community College in Centralia, Wash. in 1974 as dean of instruction. Bob became president in 1977. A couple of his major accomplishments include establishing the Centralia College Performing Arts Society in 1979 and the Centralia College Foundation in 1981.
In 1983, Bob joined the Lummi Nation in establishing Northwest Indian College (NWIC) in Bellingham, Wash. (Lummi Reservation). With an initial budget of $75,000 total (his salary included), Bob, as president, started a 13-year journey developing NWIC into a fully accredited community college with 26 FTE students and evolving to 650 FTE students ($4.5 million budget). Bob found his calling; he was able to use his creativity in ways he was unable to before. Bob established the NWIC Foundation in 1988. Bob’s footprint extended nationally, and he served as a founding director and later treasurer for the American Indian College Fund. He represented the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) on the grant writing and negotiating team, securing a National Science Foundation grant to enhance math, science and engineering programs. Bob served as chairman of AIHEC’s Telecommunication Committee, leading to establishing a satellite network connecting 29 tribal colleges to a distance learning network, and obtained a grant to expand internet access for tribal colleges. His proudest personal accomplishment while at NWIC was presenting daughter Jennifer with her diploma. The family resided in Lynden, Wash. during Bob’s time at NWIC.
In 2001, with a desire to move closer to family, Bob accepted a position at Columbia Basin College, coming full circle as dean of the math and science department. Bob enjoyed being able to connect with students and staff. Unfortunately, in 2004 Bob retired due to health. But he never fully retired. From 2001 to 2015, Bob served as consultant on American Indian programs for the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. It was around this time that Bob and Judy moved to Umatilla.
Bob, always a learner, studied medicine for 20 years at what he described as the “Medical School of Hard Knocks.” In 2004 Bob received a liver transplant. He was on the list for less than a day, most likely due to the heart valve that was replaced in 2003. He continued to fight the good fight the rest of his life, never complaining. He was blessed at this time to see all his children married, the birth of seven grandchildren, and the wedding of a granddaughter this past September. He never complained about his situation. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and family gatherings.
Bob was a true servant leader, serving in various capacities at the churches he attended over the years. He was a great example of Christ’s love. He always put his family first. He coached the boys’ Little League Baseball and football teams, and he was their Cub Scout den leader. He spent countless hours camping, fishing and clamming with the family.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy Lorence; sons, Jon (Tricia) Lorence of Umatilla and Bob (Dee) Lorence of Umatilla; daughter, Jennifer (Craig) Westling of Filer, Idaho; grandchildren, Paul Lorence, Megan Lorence, Katelyn (Brady) Butters, Ryan Lorence, Aubrey Westling, Taylor Westling and Chase Westling; sister, Kathie (Thomas) McManus of Umatilla; and numerous cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Kathleen Lorence; his grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles and family members.
A celebration of life will be announced in the spring.
The family would like to encourage you to become an organ donor.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
