Brett Roberts

Brett Robers died on March 4 at Swedish Hospital in Issaquah surrounded by his family after battling a very rare form of cancer.

Brett is remembered by his family as the most positive, kind and loving man, son, brother, husband, father, uncle, colleague and friend.

Brett leaves behind his heartbroken family: his wife and soul-mate, Suzanne (Issaquah), his two daughters, Caitlin and Sarah, his parents, Dena and Gary Roberts (Bellevue), his brother, Bryan and sister-in-law, Laine Seeley (Bellevue), in-laws Carole and Howard Hinck (Beaverton, OR), sister- and brother-in-law, Stephanie and Curt Hinck (Beaverton), precious nephews (Henry Roberts, Trevor and Tyler Hinck) and nieces (Kathryn Roberts and Lindsey Hinck) as well as his wonderful extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Countless, precious friends and colleagues of Brett’s we also add to our grieving list.

Brett had such a positive influence on every person he met in his life; he was truly our her and such a light in our lives! His huge smile and warm heart, his ever-present humor and his loving, positive nature will forever serve as our example as we move forward, living life without him. Heaven now has a very special and amazing angel in our Brett.

Born in Spokane on Feb. 4, 1962, and raised in a military family, Brett lived in Germany and all over the U.S., including Hawaii, Kan., and Beaverton, Ore., where he graduated from high school in 1980, but Ritzville is the place he called home.

A member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at University of Washington, Brett met his wife, Suzanne, during college in 1982 and he graduated from UW, Foster School of Business in 1984.

Following college graduation, Brett moved to Portland, Oregon and worked for MacMillan Bloedel. He and Suzanne married on September 13, 1986 in Portland.

Together they moved up to Seattle in late 1987 when Brett started working for Boeing, and where he remained until his death. They bought their first home in Issaquah that same year and Issaquah has been home ever since and where together they raised their two beloved daughters.

Brett was very proud of his 26-plus years of service with Boeing. After quick progression to a buyer, Brett became a manager in 1999 and Senior Manager in Project Management in 2005, he excelled in leadership.

His Boeing work, team and colleagues were very important to him. We sincerely thank everyone at the company for their support, since Brett tried to work as much as possible through his cancer battle.

Brett was an absolutely awesome, proud and devoted father!

He enjoyed anything and everything associated with his daughters, Caitlin and Sarah, such as coaching their basketball teams when they were very young , cheering them on in all their endeavors and those priceless dad’s weekends at both WSU and Oregon State.

Brett loved beaches of any sort, hiking and traveling with his wife and family, so blessed to have enjoyed wonderful trips together over the years, including these precious last 10 months.

He also loved music (especially Bruce Springsteen!) sports, golf, water and snow skiing, hiking with his buddies into the Cascades each year … and riding bikes. Biking highlights for Brett included two happy years as a Ragbrai participant, riding across the state of Iowa with his dear peloton friends.

There will be two memorial services for Brett: His Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at Crossroads Bible Church, Bellevue, and on Saturday, April 12, the family will join Brett’s Aunt Barbara Freese Jolly in Ritzville at the Zion Congregational Philadelphia Church for 2 p.m. services.

The family requests donations/remembrances be made to the Kaplan Cancer Research Fund via a tribute page for Brett: http://www.swedishtributegifts.org/brett-roberts in honor of both Brett and our outstanding Dr. Hank Kaplan and his staff to whom the family will be forever grateful.

All of the Swedish Hospital professionals deserve our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care and compassion they gave Brett and our family. We will miss you, Brett, and love you forever!

Danekas Funeral Home and Crematory in Ritzville is entrusted with arrangements.