Rob Longworth, 90, passed away peacefully in Mount Vernon, Washington, on Saturday, November 15.  Rob’s life was filled with many adventures, but his greatest joy was the life he shared with Tricia Longworth, his beloved wife of 49 years, and their family, including two sons, Tad Brown and Eric Brown; Eric’s wife, Tara; and three grandsons, Jonathan, Riley and Evan.

Rob’s life was rich with friends from all parts of the country and various stages of his life, and he was deeply grateful for those friendships. 

Rob was born on October 10, 1935, in Oceanside, California, and grew up in Dana Point and Laguna Beach in Southern California. He attended school in Fullerton, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano, California, and graduated from Orange Coast College. Rob also lived in Arizona and spent two years in Germany while serving his military duty. 

Rob and Tricia were married in 1976 in Laguna Beach. Shortly thereafter, the family moved across the country to New Hampshire to experience life in New England. It was there that Rob developed his passion for water sports and became actively involved in whitewater downriver canoeing. He was a serious competitor and was a two-time Maine State Champion in the two-person open canoe (OC-2) category. In addition to water sports, Rob and his family enjoyed wintertime activities, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and loved being outdoors as much as possible. 

In 1995, Rob and Tricia returned to the West Coast, traveling on the Oregon Trail and settling in the Pacific Northwest. He spent the remainder of his life in La Conner and Mount Vernon, Washington. 

Rob enjoyed a variety of careers and hobbies throughout his lifetime. He worked in management at Don’s Sports Center in Manchester, New Hampshire, and also at Summer’s Back Country Sports in Keene, New Hampshire, where he could put his love and knowledge of outdoor sports to good use. This included paddle sports, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and camping. After he and Tricia relocated to La Conner, Washington, he started his own business doing carpentry, remodeling, and caretaking. He was always interested in learning new things, and his lifelong curiosity helped him master the intricacies of whatever he pursued, from practical home repairs to art projects.

Rob was a gentle giant, uniquely tough and tender. He loved the thrill of surfing, racing cars, riding off-road motorcycles, racing down rivers in whitewater canoes and deep-sea fishing; yet he also enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of snowshoeing and skiing in New England, sailing in the Sea of Cortez, and free diving in Southern California and Mexico. Throughout his life, Rob had a deep affection for animals. He loved dogs and raised and showed Basset Hounds in San Diego. He also had an extreme fondness for cats and rescued many homeless cats over the years. When friends visited, it was not uncommon for Rob to have a feral cat rubbing on his legs or a rescued kitten sleeping in his arms. 

Rob loved solitary pursuits such as painting, woodworking, reading and writing short stories and poetry. He also enjoyed spending time with close friends, such as attending his weekly writing group and his regular Thursday men’s lunch group. Rob was not only interesting; he was also genuinely interested in others and enjoyed engaging in deep, meaningful conversations in small groups and one-on-one.

Rob will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He was a very special person, unique in so many ways. His knowledge across many topics and stories about his life never failed to surprise people, even longtime friends. And even though his many sporting activities resulted in physical pain in his later years, he always said those adventures added meaning and joy to his life, and he would not have changed a thing. 

Rob is survived by his wife Tricia; their two sons, Tad and Eric; daughter-in-law Tara; grandsons Jonathan and wife Kelsey and Baby Brown; Riley and wife Cydnie; Evan and wife Hannah; and his beloved cat, Petal. He was preceded in death by his father William Irving Longworth, mother Kathleen Griffin Longworth and brother Bill Longworth.  

Rob’s family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Skagit Regional Hospital for their kindness and compassionate care, not only for Rob but also for his family. 

A gathering to honor and celebrate Rob’s life will be held at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse in La Conner, Washington, on Saturday, January 24, at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a local animal shelter of your choice.