Obituary: Helling

Robert Vance Helling (Bob), resident of Woodinville, Washington, passed away peacefully Oct. 10, 2015 at the age of 84, after a short battle with leukemia. He was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on June 19, 1931 to Elvin and Vivian Helling.Bob is survived by daughter and son Michele and Michael and their spouses Terry and Tammey; grandchildren Chris, Robert, Josh, Nick and Jessica; sisters Georgene Lee and Betty Mainz; and his beloved chocolate lab Max. He was also very close with his nieces and nephews and always enjoyed their company. Bob is preceded in death by wife Bobbie and brother Gordon.Obituary: HellingBob received his B.S. in civil engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers, and started his engineering career with McDonald Douglas in Long Beach, California where he met his wife Bobbie. In 1962 they moved to Bellevue, Washington to take a job with the Boeing Company. Bob worked in static and fatigue test and retired as chief engineer from Boeing June 1, 1995 after a 33-year career.He was a caring father and husband and was known for his great sense of humor. He was adored and loved, not just by his family and friends but also by his neighbors. Bob was the consummate fix-it guy willing to help anytime. He was an avid outdoorsman whether camping with this family, hunting and fishing with this good friend Larry or spending time at the ocean clam digging. As a skilled woodworker who loved spending time in his shop Bob loved solving life’s small unseen problems, often doing projects for family and friends. Outside of his shop he enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds and spending time with his grandkids.A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Sunday Oct. 18 in the Sunset Hills Funeral Home, 1215 145th PL SE, Bellevue, Washington 98007. Interment to follow at Sunset Hills Memorial Park.Donations accepted on his behalf to Overlake Hospital Oncology or Woodinville Medic One.