Robert Ryan Leach

Our beloved son, stepson, grandson, uncle, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, Robert Ryan Leach, passed unexpectedly on April 6, 2022 at the age of 32. Bob was born in Bellingham, Washington on November 9, 1989 to Michelle Lynn Osborne and William Anthony Leach. Bob’s bright spirit and caring heart were felt by many throughout the years. Bob was an avid reader and gifted writer and he loved being in nature. He had an expansive knowledge of plants and animals and was most at home out in nature. He was especially proud of his Lummi tribal heritage, particularly in joining his father and Uncle George on a Canoe Journey. Bob walked a lot and for the most part traveled through life on foot. Those who had the honor to join him in his travels enjoyed his bright sense of humor (delivered with a sharp wit, a twinkle of the eye and a broad mischievous grin). Bob loved those close to him deeply and regarded his younger siblings with the heart of a passionate protector. Bob wrote “sometimes family is very confusing. I think that family is the people who you love and who love you”. In this sense, Bob had a very large and multi-faceted family. Bob always offered unique insights and he prided himself on his independence to walk his path as he chose. Holding social norms and material trappings lightly, Bob had an incredible strength and resolve to walk on regardless of the weight of the burdens he carried. Bob was a truly unique and treasured gift to our lives and will be greatly missed. Asked once to provide words of wisdom to his sister, Bob offered the following story: “An ant once fell into an empty bucket. While its friends ran back and forth along the top rim; rain began to fall. The ant’s friend’s despair rose just as fast as the water level, but the trapped ant wasn’t worried. Even though the outcome looks bleak courage and patience will carry you to the top. Be like the raindrop and the ant.” – Robert R. Leach Robert is preceded by grandparents, Samuel and Delores Adams Leach; and uncles, Larry Adams and Robert Leach. He is survived by his parents Michelle (Jimmy) Osborne and William Leach; sister Emily (Quentin) Tedder; step-brothers Drake (Amber) Osborne and Levi Osborne; grandparents Bill and Pat Gale; great-aunt, Donna Solomon Hunter; aunts & uncles Danielle Gale, Ryan (Kari) Gale, Perry (Dianna) Adams, George (Fran) Adams, Ronald (Beverly) Adams, David Leach, Siam’elwit (Doug) James, and Kathleen Solomon; nieces & nephews Loralei Tedder, Billy Osborne; many cousins and friends. The family would especially like to thank Paul and Karen Ridley for all of their kindness and support to Bob throughout his years at Lummi. If we have left anyone out, it is not intentional, please forgive us. There will be a memorial service held at Moles Farewell Tributes-Ferndale on Saturday April 30,2022 at 10 am.

Robert Ryan Leach

November 9, 1989 - April 6, 2022