Obituary

On April 21, 2023 Robert (Bob) Henry Elsner passed away at the age of 94, after an extended illness at home.  Bob was born in Bellingham to Henry and Ethel (Ehlers) Elsner and raised in Lynden, WA on the family chicken ranch.  He served in the army in France after graduating from Lynden High School in 1947.

While helping with the chicken ranch, he helped on several other family farms, became a logger, and then started work in the Georgia Pacific Pulp Mill.  He worked his way up to a Head Operator in the Chlorine Plant where he retired in 1994.  He married Gloria (Totten) Elsner in 1953 and had 3 sons, Jim, Scott, Mike and daughter Linda.

Bob loved sports and coached all of his sons and hundreds of other boys in football, basketball, and baseball winning several championships.  Beginning in 1960 with oldest son Jim, and ending with his last grandson, Bob coached for over 40 years.  Bob was also an avid boater with Friday Harbor his favorite destination.  His second home was Bellingham Athletic Club where he worked out and made several friends.  He was known as a hard worker, for his unique sense of humor, and contagious laugh.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Gloria and son Jim.  He is survived by children Scott (Taunna), Linda, and Mike (Chris), 9 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 12^th at 6:00pm in Bayview Chapel on Lakeway. Reception following.  Donations may be sent to Whatcom Hospice Foundation