Robert & Karin Newman

With sadness we announce the passing of our parents, Robert, (Bob) S Newman and Karin L Newman (Strunk) of Belfair WA.

Karin was born 12/20/42 and passed 7/6/22 at home with family by her side.

Bob was born 12/17/41 and passed 9/15/22 at St. Michaels Medical Center with family by his side.

As High School sweethearts, Bob and Karin were married shortly after graduation, June 10, 1961 and spent 61 wonderful years together. They were inseparable and their love for each other grew stronger through the years. Bob and Karin loved travelling, especially to Hawaii, frequently taking family to share in their love and joy of the island. They loved snow skiing and would take trips to Crystal Mountain with their grandchildren. Bob loved fishing and together they made family vacations out of trips to Sekiu with the children, nieces and nephews. They loved family, adored their grandchildren and great grandchildren. They welcomed people into their home as if they were family. They believed in the power of prayer and shared their love of God with their children and grandchildren. Throughout their lives they were shown many wonderful miracles through God and now on Angels wings they are home with those that passed before them, watching over us until we are all together again.

Bob and Karin are survived by their children, Kandi Bolin, Paul Newman, Tom Newman and Pam Livick, Sons and Daughter in Laws Bo Bolin, Karen Newman, Mike Livick, Ten Grandchildren, and Seventeen Great Grandchildren. Karin was preceded in death by her parents, Jeanette Strunk (Trineer) and Clayton Strunk of Aberdeen WA. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Unita (Sally) Newman (Hughes) and William Newman of Central Park WA.

Karin was born in Aberdeen, WA and graduated Aberdeen HS in 1961. She started her working career as a sales clerk at Weisfield’s Jewelry Store in Aberdeen. When they moved to Allyn to raise their family, Karin became stayed home to raise the children. As the children got older Karin worked with Bob at the Chevron as the bookkeeper and also worked for the North Mason School District. As the couple changed business adventures to Texaco in Bremerton, she started working full time alongside of Bob. Karin continued to do the bookkeeping, run the deli and Hertz Rental Outlet.

Karin enjoyed music and singing, horseback riding, aerobics, sports with the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was artistically creative, drawing and painting and shared that love of the arts as she taught Bob how to paint. Karin loved to crochet and would make you an Afghan putting all her love into it. It was her way to say, “I love you”. She loved Holidays and their home was the center of the family gatherings from Weddings, Baby Showers, Birthdays, and especially Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.

She loved shopping especially for the grandchildren and great grandchildren and always made sure that everyone that came had a gift and knew they were special. Her favorite at Christmas was a white elephant gift exchange which has become a tradition and brought a lot of joy and laughter.

Karin’s family and friends may remember her fiery temper and the strong devotion she had to protect her loved ones. Others may remember her beautiful smile and hazel eyes that were full of love and laughter.

Karin was a giver. Always looking after and taking care of people. When she retired, Karin moved her mother from Aberdeen to live with her and as her mother aged Karin became her full-time caregiver.

Bob was born in Aberdeen WA and graduated Aberdeen HS in 1961. He started his working career as a mechanic for a small station in Aberdeen. Shortly after Bob moved the family to Belfair, having the opportunity to be a small business owner Chevron Station. Bob became well known and a respectful part of the community. However, Bob was always up for a challenge and left the Chevron to purchase the Texaco on 6th and Naval in Bremerton. He expanded the business to include a deli, trading cards and collectables, and Hertz Rental Car Outlet. He and Karin worked the business with their daughter and Son in Law until they sold and retired.

Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting, razor clam digging, gardening, and sports. He started his sports career back in High School and

continued playing through coaching North Mason Pee Wees for his son’s teams, and then North Mason Girls Fastpitch with his

daughters and granddaughter’s teams. The community knew Bob as the winning coach and he led his teams through several victory seasons. Bob made sure that the family all shared in his love for food and various flavors, taking his harvest of oysters, clams, and fish, smoking, pickling, and canning. Pickled fish and vegetables were one of his favorites along with making pickles.

Bob’s family and friends will fondly remember his wise-crack humor and many wild stories. You could tell by his adventures he never let any grass grow under his feet, nor backed away from any chance to enjoy life. Some may remember his sportsmanship and others counting the number of times he was ejected by the official because he didn’t agree with the call.

After retiring Bob took up many hobbies in which he became a craftsman, woodworking making bowls, tables, lamps, fish, anything you wanted he would find unique woods and create. He also dealt into rocks and gems, cutting, tumbling and polishing making beautiful jewelry. He had an extensive collection of trading cards, comics and other collectables. He always did things on a grand scale, he found his way into the kitchen and loved making soups and stew, not just a pot but that could feed 50 people. To the last days Bob was still looking to learn new skills and talents purchasing a guitar, learning to play alongside his granddaughter and great grandson.

Karin and Bob, loving Mother and Father, Grandmother and Grandfather, GG and Papa, you will be missed, you will live in our hearts forever, to all those that knew you and so many that loved you take comfort that you are together in heaven.