The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dayton Farmer Bob Warren passed away Feb. 11, 2017 at 90 years of age at Booker Rest Home in Dayton, WA with his wife of almost 65 years by his side. He was born in Pomeroy, WA the youngest of 6 children of Ernest Robert Warren Sr. and Anna (Carlson) Warren. He graduated from Pomeroy HS in 1944 and was drafted into U.S. Army. After an honorable discharge, Bob returned to Pomeroy to work the Warren family farm. He then moved to Dayton, where he started farming with his brother-in-law Paul Talbott. He married Nadine Magill on June 7, 1952. In 1964, he purchased his own farm and moved his wife and four children: Tressa, Gene, Glenn and Bill to Bundy Hollow the following year. Bob believed in agricultural diversification and at one time grew 110 acres of asparagus for the Green Giant cannery in Dayton. He also owned 100 acres of apples and pears. Primary crops were winter wheat, barley, cattle, hay, peas, lentils and chickpeas. He was actively engaged in many professional organizations in the area and served in leadership positions for most including: Columbia County Farm Bureau, Washington State Farm Bureau, Columbia County Grain Growers, Columbia County Crop Improvement Association, Columbia County Cattleman's Association, Columbia County Weed Board, Columbia County Soil Conservation District, Columbia County Board of Equalization, Columbia County Port Commissioner, Columbian REA, Washington-Oregon Pea Growers Association, Dayton Task Force, Blue Mountain Snowmobile Club, Washington State Crop Improvement Association, ASCS County Committee and American Legion. Bob received numerous honors and awards over his distinguished career in agriculture and in service to the agricultural industry and community.

He was a member of First Christian Church and served many years as a deacon. He shared his passion of agriculture with his wife and children fostering their involvement in chores, 4-H and FFA livestock projects, and working all aspects of the farm. He encouraged his children to get a college education and was proud that all received a degree from Washington State University.

Bob is survived by his wife Nadine; his children Tressa Petersen (Jim) of Burbank, WA, Gene (Mary) of Dayton, Glenn (Aileen) of Dayton, and Bill (Kristine) of Dayton, eight grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters: Amelia Talbott, Myrtle Hoke, Claire Cone and Ernestine White and a brother Stanley.

He enjoyed supporting and attending his grandchildren's activities, investing in the stock market, conservation efforts and celebrating the Fourth of July in the mountains.

Bob was very appreciative of the in home care givers that enriched his and Nadine's lives over the past four years and the care provided by Walla Walla Community Hospice over the past six months.

The family requests in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Dayton/Waitsburg Community Health Foundation, Dayton First Christian Church or Hospice of Walla Walla.

A celebration of life service will be held at First Christian Church in Dayton Friday, February 24, 2017 at 11a.m. with burial immediately following at the Dayton Cemetery. Lunch will be served at the First Christian Church following the burial.