Robert Blain Brobeck, 59, of Piney Flats, Tenn., died Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at his home. Brobeck was raised in Chuckey, Tenn. He is the son of Blain Brobeck of Naples, Fla., and the late Joy C. Mercer-Ryan of Vashon.

Brobeck was well known in his community for his work with the Boone Lake Association, and without his hard work and dedication the lake would not be the place it is today. He spent many happy days fishing, boating and swimming with his family in the lake he worked so hard to protect.

Brobeck worked many years for his local phone company until his failing health forced him to retire. He loved to garden, and he and his family canned and froze much of their own food. After his parents divorced, Brobeck stayed with his father in Tennessee while his mother and sisters moved to Vashon; phone calls became the only contact until sister Rhea visited Tennessee in 1970. Then in 1981 Robert and his family flew to Seattle for a family reunion. This began a series of visits and a much closer relationship between siblings so long separated.

Brobeck is survived by his son David Earnest Brobeck of Ringgold, Ga., daughter Susan Louise Brobeck of Bluff City, Tenn., his father Blain Brobeck of Naples, Fla., and his former spouse Carolyn Brobeck of Bluff City, Tenn. Locally, Robert is survived by his sisters, Linda (Steve) Hamilton and Rhea (Dan) Harvey and half-sister Lisa (John) Devereau. He also has 10 nieces and nephews and 14 great-nieces and great-nephews. His mother Joy C. Mercer-Ryan and his brother Stephen Farrell Brobeck died earlier.

A funeral service was held in Jonesboro, Tenn., on July 31, and Brobeck was buried near his brother in the Salem Cemetery.