Robert da Silva

Robert da Silva was born on February 25, 1939, and passed away after an extended illness on November 20, 2024 at the age of 85. Even though he contacted Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1985, followed by over 20 years of horrendous migraines, he just never gave up doing the best he could do. 

He was known by family and close friends as Robbie. He was a very intelligent, creative, compassionate man who never gave up trying to make things work even in ways they were not intended to work. If it could be done, he would figure out a way to do it. 

He attended Auburn Adventist Academy and at one time thought he would go into the ministry so attended a college in Walla Walla for two years but decided on a different course. He worked in a sawmill in his early 20’s and lost the use of several fingers on his left hand yet refused a disability determining to make his way in life without it. He bought an old truck and did a small operation logging and with his ingenuity, figured out ways to load the logs on his truck by himself.

He worked as a medical and radiologic technologist for many years and eventually opened his own lab in Enumclaw WA doing cytotoxic tests on hundreds of people referred to him by physicians far and wide. During that period in his life, he was very active, played tennis and racquet ball and ran several marathons, even rode his bike from Enumclaw to the top of Chinook Pass with his son, Monte.  

He loved music, he wrote songs, mostly about God’s love and mercy toward His created beings. He wrote personal songs. One about his mom and her struggle raising five children by herself which he called “My Legacy”, and one about his “Papa” which was really his grandfather. He not only wrote songs but sang and recorded many – many he recorded himself singing all 4 parts and accompanying himself on the keyboard and/or guitar. He recorded one album entitled My Lord, the Creator on which were many of the songs he wrote, both the words and the music. Duets and quartets with others were breath taking. He was invited to sing for many celebrations. 

His wife had placed a CD player with 12 of his recorded songs playing on his pillow by his ear. His song about his Papa was the last song he heard as he passed away. She was by his side, holding his hand. Countless times in his last days of life, she assured him she would meet him one day very soon in the clouds of heaven when our LORD and Savior returns the 2nd time to redeem all His faithful obedient children.

Robbie is survived by his wife, June; sons Monte, Ryan, and Reid da Silva; stepdaughter Tracy Rawson and stepson Kelly Jasmer; sisters Jacquie Christenson, Darlene Waybright, and Audrey Fazekas; the mother of his sons, Lee Bryant; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; as well as friends in his life who were very special to him and incredible neighbors who have helped in so many ways to make life easier for him and his wife. KVH RN Maija Brissey has been and is irreplaceable and so much loved. 

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Shanna; his brother, Ron; his mother, Mona; and his father, Ben. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Cle Elum. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com