Robert Bruce Dodge Jr., age 58, passed away on Feb. 3, 2017 after a battle with heart disease. He was known for a huge heart that was like a teddy bear, having a sense of humor and having a way with kids. He loved his grandkids and Christmas.
Robert was born Sept. 14, 1958 to Robert and Shirley (Rouse) Dodge in Encino, California. He was one of four children. At the age of 4, the family moved to Whatcom County, settling in the Lynden area. Robert participated in football, basketball and FFA raising pigs while in high school. After graduating from Lynden High, he went on to work on the family farm and for other farms as a herdsman and for a time he worked for D.H.I.A. and later worked as a mechanic.
At the age of 30, Robert attended Bellingham Technical College, earning his certificate as a diesel mechanic. While at BTC, he participated in student government and helped set up charter bylaws. Robert volunteered and later worked part-time at the former Fire District 3 for 17 years. He enjoyed his fellow firefighters and the fire hall comradery.
In 2001 Robert had a kidney transplant that eventually left him disabled. But that didn’t keep him down. He continued to help others by donating his time repairing vehicles and at Christmas time dressing up as Santa.
Robert met his true love, Carri Mellema, on a blind date and they later married on Dec. 13, 1980. Together they had three girls and three grandsons.
Robert was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Hardy.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Carri; children Kayla (Kent “Muffin”) Schuyleman, Elizabeth Dodge and Samantha Dodge; sisters Kerry (Dave) Nanninga and Kathy (John) Varner; brother Rod (Melinda) Dodge; grandchildren Evan Schuyleman and Jordan and Erak Dodge; step-dad Jerry Hardy; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be missed by his father-in-law Sid (Kate) Mellema; mother-in-law Ruth Olson; sister-in-law Kim (Dave) Tjoelker; and brothers-in-law Kevin (Michelle) Mellema and Jayme Mellema.
You are invited to join the family for visitation on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in Gillies Funeral Home followed by a 1 p.m. Celebration of Life service in North County Christ the King Church.
Memorials are suggested to the University of Washington Willed Body Donation (http://www.uwmedicine.org/education/about/willed-body-program); or Bellingham/Whatcom Firefighters Benevolent Foundation (https://sites.google.com/site/ffbenevolentfoundation).
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
