Robert Warren Gierke died March 18, 2014, with family at his side.

He was born Feb. 7, 1929, in Ellensburg, Wash., to Emil and Inez Gierke. He spent his early childhood in Ellensburg before moving to Auburn where he graduated in 1947 from Auburn High School. After serving honorably in the Army he returned and worked as a long-haul trucker. In 1952 he married Ula Rae Lindsay and daughters Debra and Jody soon followed. Following a divorce, he relocated to Enumclaw where he worked as an electrician for Weyerhaeuser. In 1968 he met and married Sonja Sonneson and together they cleared the property that had been in the Sonneson family for years. He took great pride in the house, shop, and outbuildings that he had built. He later worked as a laborer for King County Department of Transportation until retiring in 1994. He loved the outdoors and had many adventures with hiking, fishing, camping, and clamming at Roosevelt Beach.

He is survived by wife Sonja; daughters Debra Endsley and husband Terry of Wilkeson and Jody Campbell of Renton; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded by brothers Richard Tornay, Paul Gierke and Michael Gierke, sisters Ida Sharp and Dorothy Gierke and grandson Justin.

His wishes were to have no service but he encouraged friends and family members to enjoy a beer or beverage and recall his many stories.

Donations in his name can be made to a hospice or an Alzheimer’s research effort of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements were by Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home. All may sign the online guest book at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com