Robert Abraham Via, Jr., 'Uncle Bob,' passed away on June 3, 2020. He was born on February 16, 1927 and raised in Kailua, HI, where he acquired his lifelong passion for swimming, surfing, fishing, and volleyball. He graduated from the Kamehameha Schools in 1945, studied at the University of Hawaii for 2 years and then joined the U.S. Army. He served as an Army Ranger during the Korean War and retired in 1972 as a decorated veteran, honored with 2 Purple Hearts and 3 Bronze Stars. He then began his second career as a Swimming Pool Manager and Swimming and Water Safety Instructor at the Kane'ohe District Park Swimming Pool. Over the next 20 years, Uncle Bob taught thousands of Hawaii's keiki, adults, seniors, and students with special needs to swim, lifeguard, and enjoy the water. He retired from the Honolulu City and County in 1992, but continued to volunteer with the Red Cross teaching Water Safety and Lifeguard Certification classes. Uncle Bob was honored as the 2012 Red Cross O'ahu Volunteer of the Year and was inducted into the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame in 2018. He enjoyed golfing, playing tennis, hunting, fishing, and always having fun with his 'tennis gang,' his 'Red Cross and Lifeguard Ohana,' his Morris and Grace Shin Ohana, and numerous close and dear friends and neighbors. He is survived by his children, Robin Tibaduiza of Honolulu, HI, Shelly Assiff of Reno, NV, two stepchildren, Wayne Martinson of Union City, CA, and Wanda Martinson Castro of Reno, NV, 7 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren. His everlasting kindness with others, sense of humor, and encouraging and positive attitude will live on in the hearts of ALL who enjoyed him. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later time.
Robert Abraham Via, Jr., 'Uncle Bob,' passed away on June 3, 2020. He was born on February 16, 1927 and raised in Kailua, HI, where he acquired his lifelong passion for swimming, surfing, fishing, and volleyball. He graduated from the Kamehameha Schools in 1945, studied at the University of Hawaii for 2 years and then joined the U.S. Army. He served as an Army Ranger during the Korean War and retired in 1972 as a decorated veteran, honored with 2 Purple Hearts and 3 Bronze Stars. He then began his second career as a Swimming Pool Manager and Swimming and Water Safety Instructor at the Kane'ohe District Park Swimming Pool. Over the next 20 years, Uncle Bob taught thousands of Hawaii's keiki, adults, seniors, and students with special needs to swim, lifeguard, and enjoy the water. He retired from the Honolulu City and County in 1992, but continued to volunteer with the Red Cross teaching Water Safety and Lifeguard Certification classes. Uncle Bob was honored as the 2012 Red Cross O'ahu Volunteer of the Year and was inducted into the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame in 2018. He enjoyed golfing, playing tennis, hunting, fishing, and always having fun with his 'tennis gang,' his 'Red Cross and Lifeguard Ohana,' his Morris and Grace Shin Ohana, and numerous close and dear friends and neighbors. He is survived by his children, Robin Tibaduiza of Honolulu, HI, Shelly Assiff of Reno, NV, two stepchildren, Wayne Martinson of Union City, CA, and Wanda Martinson Castro of Reno, NV, 7 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren. His everlasting kindness with others, sense of humor, and encouraging and positive attitude will live on in the hearts of ALL who enjoyed him. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later time.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
