Obituary of Robert J Teeter

ROBERT J. TEETER Robert J. Teeter passed away on January 21, 2021 in Olympia, Washington. Bob was 85 years old and was preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice and Hallie Teeter and his brother-in-law, Robert LeDuc. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Arlene Teeter, and his three children, Tammy Teeter (Mike Simmons), Wayde Teeter (Sandy Teeter), and Waylon Teeter. Bob had five grandchildren: Kalen Olinger (Erin Griffin), Kolton Olinger (Jess Weiler), Wayde Visser, Bailey Swindler (Dan Wojciechowski), Jami Simmons; six great grandchildren: Ruby, Bear and Cedar Olinger, Raelyn Sayers, and Phoebe and Freya Wojciechowski. Bob was also survived by his sister, Dorothy LeDuc, his nephews and niece, Rick (Denise), Tom (Judy), Ann (Ed), Brad (Val) and Paul; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Ruby Arnett, nephews and niece, Bret (Terri), Eric (Marie) and Jo (Dave); sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara and Jim Dixon, nieces, Brooke (Tom), and Brenda (Eric). Bob was born and raised in Centralia, Washington and graduated in 1953 from Centralia High School. He met his best friend, Carl Hurn, in kindergarten at Logan Street Elementary and they remained friends for the rest of their lives. Bob played football all through school and was the King of Hearts his senior year in high school. Bob married Arlene Arnett on December 28, 1957 and he began his service in the U.S. Army the following year, serving until 1960. While based in the Bay Area, Bob performed in the Honor Guard for the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. After his service in the military, he and Arlene moved back to Washington State where he found employment as a carpet layer for a few years before getting hired at the Olympia Brewing Company. Bob and Arlene bought a 900 square foot house on Tumwater Hill in 1963 that Bob renovated into a 1,800 square foot home over the years where they raised their three children. There were many summer gatherings with family and friends in that backyard. All of the grandchildren enjoyed many visits with Grandpa and Grandma. While still working at the brewery, Bob and Arlene owned and managed JB’s Western Wear in Lacey, Washington from 1970 to 1982. Bob retired in 1992 after 28 years with the brewery. He immediately began work on further updates to the family home, building wings for Wayde’s modified sprint car and acting as his pit crew boss. In 2002, Bob and Arlene moved to their home on Cooper Point Road where they resided until September 2020. Over the years Bob hunted, fished, smelted, and went clam digging with his dad, uncles and cousins and later his sons. Bob loved football, baseball and his 1970 Shelby Mustang that his children were never allowed to drive. (Waylon and his friend Todd Mayo snuck it out of the garage one night and drove it around the Hill before it died. They had to push it back to the house. Bob was not aware of the joy ride until Tammy told him a few years ago - Waylon has yet to forgive her for ratting him out.) Bob loved watching the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks games. He also enjoyed time with his friends Don Permann and Nate Unwin. To the day he passed, Bob’s thoughts were always on his family – his wife, his children and his sister. He passed peacefully after many, many years of hard work, and loyalty and commitment to his family. I’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard him call; I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; Ah yes, these things, I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much; Good friends, good times, A loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seems all too brief; Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me… God wanted me now, He set me free. • Linda Jo Jackson