Robert G. Diefenbach

Robert G. “Bob” Diefenbach passed away peacefully on January 30, 2025. He was born in Seattle, Washington on October 30, 1925, to Fred Diefenbach Sr. and Hilda Diefenbach.

In 1933, Fred moved the family to the Kittitas Valley under the homestead for Ex-Servicemen Act. As part of this Act, he received one of the twenty-two farm tracts that the Bureau of Reclamation offered as part of the Kittitas Irrigation Project after serving in WWI. Bob attended Denmark School in the Badger Pocket and graduated from Ellensburg High School. After graduation Bob enlisted in the United States Navy (1943-1945) during WWII. Bob did his officer training at the Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA; Pre-Midshipman School, Princeton, NJ; Midshipman School, Columbia University, NY; and Torpedo School, San Diego, CA. These different schoolings gave him the qualification to hold the positions of Assistant Gunnery Officer and Torpedo Officer. He served on the USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD 708).

During the Korea War, Bob reenlisted in the United States Navy (1950-1953). He served on the USS Nicholas (DDE 449) as First Lieutenant. He also completed additional training courses at Torpedoman School, Firefighting School and Mark 35 Radar School.

In between his tours of military service, he returned to the Kittitas Valley where he met Janeice Jump. They fell in love and were married in 1948, at the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed serving in the church and attending Mass with his family. His most memorable trip with Janice was a road trip from Ellensburg to Key West, Florida, where he attended Torpedoman school. They went on to have eight children – which Bob has said “I was proud of all eight of my kids and all the good things that they have accomplished.” 

In 1953 at the end of his military service, he and his family moved back to the Kittitas Valley. He bought a 200-acre farm in the Badger pocket area. For 46 years he cultivated and farmed the land. Additionally, he operated a farm in Mattawa. In the late 1960’s, he planted a 30-acre apple orchard that consisted of Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Rome apples. He sold the apples to a packing plant in Yakima.

In the early 1970’s, Bob and Joe Sorenson started Better Tater Farms Corporation. They grew potatoes and had a sorting operation that processed the potatoes for chip companies such as Nalley, Frito-Lay, Granny Goose, Blue Bell Brand, and Tim’s Cascade. When Bob and Joe went their separate ways, Bob continued running Better Tater Farms.

Bob said and felt, “Farming is a way of life really. I like the solitude of it. Being out here, enjoying the outdoors, the land.” 

Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time with family. “Elk camp” in the Naneum; fishing on Icicle Creek in Leavenworth; Boating on Lake Chelan; exploring Harstine Island; and many cruises to Alaska. These are just a few of many adventures he shared with his family. He started woodworking after he retired from farming. He enjoyed building things for his kids in his woodworking shop. His specialty was building Adirondack chairs. 

Bob met Anna Farrant and got married in 1998. They loved to travel with his most memorable trip to Branson, Missouri. Mercer Creek church was a big part of their lives, and this continued for Bob until his passing. In his final years, Bob enjoyed listening to Our Daily Bread devotions and Bible readings, family visits, and daily drives around Kittitas Valley.

Bob is survived by his children David (Carol) Diefenbach, Jane (Cory) Bartholomew, Mary Diefenbach-Duke (Peter Oswald), Scott Diefenbach, Gary (Barbara) Diefenbach, Alice (Jerry) Gergen, Donna (Kim) Hougnon, Paul (Rina) Diefenbach, and grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids (too many to count). He was preceded in death by his parents Fred Sr. and Hilda; his brother Fred Diefenbach, Jr., his first wife Janeice and his second wife Anna.

Memorial contributions in Bob’s honor are suggested to the KVH Hospice, KVH Foundation or The Gretchen Weller Foundation.

Viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Johnston & Williams in Ellensburg. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 21 at Mercer Creek Church with burial and military honors to follow at High Valley Cemetery.

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