Robert E Dryver, long-time resident of Port Angeles and Carlsborg, WA, died on January 5, 2023, at age 68 of complications due to a pancreatic tumor at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.
Bob was born in Decorah, Iowa on March 28, 1954, to Arthur and Verdie Dryver. Bob grew up as a Lutheran pastor’s son in the Midwest and his heart for serving the Lord and loving his neighbor continued throughout his life.
After graduating from Luther College, Bob ventured out West and lived with his sister Sharon in Forks, WA. During his time in Forks, Bob worked as a shake bolt cutter and was a shake packer at one of Dean Hurn’s mills. He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, the Forks Community Choir, and The Four Kings barbershop quartet, singing with them in the Forks 4th of July parades.
As an Eagle Scout, he came to cherish time in the outdoors and passed this love on to his children.
Bob was an arborist for over 20 years on the Olympic Peninsula. He was a very animated and passionate man. He enjoyed a myriad of hobbies, many of which involved hunting & gathering: fishing, picking mushrooms/nettles/berries, crabbing, clamming, hunting, camping and gardening. You could often find him in a row of raspberries or picking wild blackberries. He also enjoyed a good game of cribbage with a friend.
As an artist Bob mentored under Don McClory in Forks for over a decade and carved dozens of pieces and a totem pole in the styles of the Tlingit and Haida people. He enjoyed demonstrating his carving technique to people during Rainfest.
Music also really spoke to his soul. As a teen and young adult, he learned to play guitar and gathered a huge collection of records. He continued to play and sing oldies, folk, and Christian music throughout his whole life, especially around the campfire or jamming with friends. His gift of music blessed many.
Bob is survived by his children, Jeanine Griek [Son-in-law Joseph Griek] and Jonathan Dryver, and grandchildren Maya and Reid Griek and Penelope and Miles Dryver, sisters, Sharon Greene, Peggy Smith, Cindy Chew, Monica Coleston, and his many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on July 27 outdoors at the Salt Creek Picnic Pavilion 3506 Camp Hayden Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363. If you are interested in attending or need more details, please RSVP here: https://bit.ly/rsvpbobd or text 907-687-6467
In lieu of gifts, the family suggests finding a way to “pay it forward” with a random act of kindness.
