Robert Charles Covert of Vashon died Sunday, May 11, 2003, at his home. He was 73 years old.

Mr. Covert was born on Coldspring Farm in Mundelein, Ill., March 24, 1930, to David Clellan and Emma Lilly Clift Covert.

He married Joanne Elizabeth Brubaker on July 29, 1950. The couple lived in Waukegan, Gurnee and Grayslake, Ill., before moving to Vashon in 1978.

Mr. Covert served in the Illinois National Guard and was called to active duty during the Korean War. He served as an aerial observer, ultimately receiving several military honors.

His occupations included printer, insurance salesman, builder and handyman. He was well-known for being a hard worker and was happiest when working outside.

Mr. Covert had a strong faith and was always active in churches in the communities where he lived. His friends say he was a very giving person; if there was a need to be filled or a job to be done, he was the first to jump in without being asked.

One friend describes him as “a rock solid human being and the most responsible person I know.”

He came to Vashon in 1978 to help create the Wesleyan Christian Community Church and Retreat Center.

Survivors include his wife Joanne, children Sara and her husband Mark Schemmel of Vashon, John Covert of Chicago, and Kathleen (Greg) Jensen of Mountain View, Ariz.; grandchildren Marla (Douglas) Spencer, Eva and Luke Schemmel and great grandchildren Elsa and Sydney Spencer, all of Vashon; grandchildren Justin and Jonah Bass of Oak Island, N.C., and Jesse, Jasmine Grace and Jaimee Jensen, all of Mountain View.

Also surviving are sisters Phyllis (Gordon) Thomas of Sebring, Fla; Colleen (Harry) McIntire, of Pilesgrove, N.J.; and Marilyn Wilson, of Lola, Wis.

Friends report that Mr. Covert also left many people who consider him their “adopted” father or grandfather.

A memorial service was on Saturday, May 17, at Burton Church.

Mr. Covert was laid to rest on Friday, May 16, after a private ceremony with full military honors at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. Burial arrangements were made by Bleitz Funeral Home of Seattle.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to: USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1414 Eastlake Ave., Room 8302, Los Angeles, Calif. 90033, Attention Carmy Peters.

Memorial funds received will benefit the Lung Cancer Research Program of Dr. Ite Laird who is doing research on early detection of lung cancer.