Fall 2005

Robert Medhaug

Longtime Lighthouse employee Robert “Bob” Medhaug was a dearly-loved member of the Lighthouse team known for his friendly attitude and his happy, generous nature. Bob touched many lives at the Lighthouse with his warmth and kindness. “Bob was just a great guy --- he was a really good, all-around guy,” says Malinda Speer, production lead.

Born in Bellingham, Bob attended schools in both his home city and the town of Buckley. He grew up surrounded by a loving and supportive family. In 1974, Bob came to work at the Lighthouse as one of the very first members of the Group Supported Employment program for people who are blind or Deaf-Blind with a developmental disability.

Bob dove into work at the Lighthouse with enthusiasm, doing a variety of jobs including canteen assembly, material handling, and packaging business cards. “Bob was always independent and a good worker,” says Linda Villarreal, production supervisor. “He was truly independent and truly integrated,” says Dena Rucker, former employee support supervisor.

“Over the years, Bob did many things, covered many areas. Because of his positive, generous, and fun-loving personality, Bob became, to say the least, very well-known at the Lighthouse,” recalls George Jacobson, president. “Bob truly cared for his fellow employees, whom he considered his dearest friends.”

“He always remembered special dates --- people’s birthdays, things like that. He was very thoughtful,” says Linda. Amy Koehl, program manager, remembers Bob playing “Happy Birthday” to her on his harmonica and getting everyone to sing along. “He was really good on that harmonica! He made my day special,” she remembers.

“He loved to play his harmonica. He came to work and played his harmonica for everyone,” Malinda remembers. “He loved to play it at [Mariners] games.” Bob, an avid sports fan, was especially known for his love of baseball and the Mariners. “I think he listened to every game. Many times, Bob would report the game score to me,” George says. One of Bob’s favorite jokes was to tell a coworker that the Mariners losing was “their fault.”

“I just remember his humor,” smiles Dena. “I don’t know how long I had been here before he started calling me ‘trouble.’ I miss his smile so much. He was always so happy.”

“He was always happy, always had a smile on his face. He never had anything negative to say about anyone,” Malinda recalls. “He used to call me on his days off just to check in and say ‘Hi, how ya’ doin? Have a great weekend.’ He was just very special. I miss him terribly. It’s not the same here without him.”

Bob passed away this June after he was tragically struck by a train. On June 24th, 2005, Lighthouse employees gathered at the neighboring Center Park building to pay tribute to their friend and coworker. George Jacobson gave the eulogy in memory of Bob.

“Over his thirty years at the Lighthouse, Bob Medhaug in so many ways came to epitomize the special nature of this place,” says George. “For Bob, like so many of us, the Lighthouse became not just a place of work and a place to go every day. It became ‘home’ --- an organization full of great people which provides opportunity, socialization, and a chance for self-fulfillment. Bob took advantage of all these, and thus Bob came to love the Lighthouse and all of us loved Bob.”

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