John Michael Robischon, 79
John Michael Robischon was born Feb. 12, 1930, in Kalispell, and died Aug. 5, 2009, in Olympia, Wash. He was the youngest of seven children.
He grew up an outdoor enthusiast with many hours spent hiking, fishing and camping in the Big Sky Country. John graduated from Flathead County High School in 1948.
On Aug. 24, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Gwen Shaw.He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Montana State University. In 1957, he moved to Olympia with his wife Gwen and their young family. John worked as an engineer for the City of Olympia and as an engineer and surveyor with Swift and Associates, until accepting the position of city engineer for the City of Tumwater, Wash.
In 1969, he and his wife Gwen founded South Sound Utility Company and began acquiring satellite water systems in Thurston County. In 1971 he founded a second company, "Robischon Engineers," that specialized in the design of community water systems.
Dad was a pioneer in the design, construction, operation and ownership of these small community water systems. He even received a patent for his invention of an innovative system control component. South Sound Utility Company (SSU) grew to 40 water systems in three counties, serving more than 3,500 families before it was sold to California Water Service Company in 1999. Robischon Engineers was sold to California Water Service Company in 2001.
Dad was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's after selling the engineering company and retiring. He faced this new season of his life with courage, strength and dignity. His motto while living with Alzheimer's disease was "I refuse to become angry" and he lived up to that motto. Though saddened by the progression of the disease, he never became angry or bitter about it.
Dad married Sarah Neal in 1995 and she was a loving and caring partner even as the Alzheimer's disease took its toll.
Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen, in 1988; his daughter, Debbi, in 1977; and his son, Michael, in 1957.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah; brother, Jim, and Mayme; brother, Tom; daughter, Terri, and Jim McCuiston; son, Paul, and Suzanne; son, Fred, and Bonnie; daughter, Cathy, and Steve Skiles; daughter, Celeste, and Ben Emmons; son, Tom; son, John, and Lisa; and 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Dad will be remembered as a loving, compassionate and caring man. He always championed the underdog whether he was watching a sporting event or providing free services to the owners of a small water system who were struggling to make ends meet.
John's family would like to extend their thanks and loving gratitude to Ramel and CiCi at Sunrise adult family home for their tender considerate care of Dad for the past two years. They provided a safe family environment that Dad truly enjoyed.
Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Both will be at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 5930 Mullen Road SE, Lacey, WA 98503.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Foundation at 3432 South Bay Road NE, Olympia, WA 98506; or to the Nisqually Land Trust at P.O. Box 1148, Yelm, WA 98597-1148.