Robert Dean Ahrend (Bob) passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, in Spokane, Washington. He was born May 4, 1942, in Ilwaco, Washington, to Frederick Ryan Ahrend and Erma (DeMersseman) Ahrend, the second of two sons. He graduated from Ilwaco High School (salutatorian) and the University of Washington. He later received a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of Oregon, and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern Washington University, with post-graduate work at Penn State University. Bob married Marianne Moline in 1968; they had two children, George and Shelley. He taught high school mathematics in Redmond, Washington, and college mathematics at Spokane Falls Community College before entering the world of business, eventually owning his own consulting company.

Bob has been described as “the most energetic person ever,” with a “heart of gold who would do anything for anybody.” He loved music, singing in his high school Glee Club and Men’s Quartet, and the Seattle Symphony Chorale and Spokane Symphony Chorale in earlier years. He sang in many church choirs and will be remembered for his fine bass voice. His hobby was cars: his prized possession was his restored 1968 Chevrolet truck, formerly owned by his brother-in-law Clark Satre. He was passionate about family, politics, and most of all, his God. He ministered at the Healing Rooms in Spokane and had taught adult Sunday School at All Saints’ Lutheran Church, Spokane. He was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, Spokane, and a supporter of Christians United for Israel. He was kind and thoughtful, always helping others, and was known for his wit and humor. He is remembered as “a big personality whose passing has left a big hole in our hearts,” “always ready with a joke, a wry comment, or with help repairing a bicycle! The world is diminished without him in it.” One niece said “he was an awesome uncle and I’m so thankful to have had him in my life for as long as I did. He will be so missed.”

Bob is survived by his wife of thirty years, Janet (Satre) Ahrend, Spokane; his son George Ahrend and his wife Jennifer (Bunnell) Ahrend and their children Dagny, Elijah, Silas, Isaiah, Micah, and Reuben of Soap Lake, Washington; and his daughter Shelley (Ahrend) Janke and her husband Thomas and their children Benjamin and Paul of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He is also survived by his aunt Wanda Beth DeMersseman Whiting of Salt Lake City, Utah, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; his sister-in-law Jeanne (Satre) Kanikeberg, and brothers-in-law Clark (Debbie) Satre and Glen (Marilyn) Satre. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Frederick Thomas Ahrend (1939-1991), and sister-in-law Julianna (Klug) Ahrend (1941-2001).

Memorial services will be held Friday, November 17, 2017, at noon at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 127 East 12th Avenue, Spokane. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts may be made to Plymouth Congregational Church, 1502 West 8th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99204.

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