Robert W. Lacquaye

Robert W. LacQuaye, 74, of McMinnville and formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 24 at Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville.

He was born Oct. 22, 1931, and raised in Trego, Wis. "Yakima Bob", as his friends knew him, led a life of service to his community and his country.

In 1949 after graduating from high school in Spooner, Wis., he joined the Army National Guard and then went on to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He served 12 years, including the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in 1961. During this time he served as a heavy tank operator, worked on fighter jets and was an aerial photographer.

After leaving the Armed Forces he spent the next 18 years in service to his community. From 1961 to 1966 he worked for the Washington State Department of Transportation in the civil engineering department as a surveyor. From 1966 to 1971 he served as chief of police in Naches, Wash.

From 1971 to 1979 he served in the Yakima Sheriff's Department, primarily as a narcotics detective. There he was involved in a number of high-profile cases that earned him recognition as a top-notch detective.

After his retirement from law enforcement he made his home in La Grande from 1988 until 1998.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and a good game of cards. He was a man who loved his family and took on the challenges family life presented with a steady strength. He enjoyed teaching his children his interests and watching them in theirs. From baseball to football to wrestling he always seemed to find to watch his children as they competed.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Steven, Evonne and Michael of Washington, and Kamie, Scott and Chris of Oregon; his sister, Trudy, and a brother, Scott of Wisconsin; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; mother, Faye; brothers, James and Kelly; and his first wife, Rosella.