Robert Joseph Hirsh

Robert (Bob) Joseph Hirsh passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025, while surrounded by his daughters, after a long battle with dementia in Tacoma, WA at the age of 86.

Bob was born on April 23, 1939, in Gary, IN. During his childhood he attended Holy Trinity elementary where he loved being an altar server. As a ‘lefty’ he loved pitching baseball and playing first base in summer ball through high school. He proudly graduated in 1957 from Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, IN. He had his heart set on attending St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, IN, where he’d attended altar server picnics over the years; however, fate took him in another direction.

Seeking a life beyond his father’s footsteps working in the local steel mill, Bob enlisted in the US Army and quickly ascended as a sergeant in the signal corp stationed at Fort Lewis Army base in Tacoma, WA. His whirlwind romance with Marilyn (Kinsley) Hirsh began the night of his 21st birthday in 1960 at the USO dance hall, leading to their wedding on January 28, 1961, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tacoma.

Bob was honorably discharged as a Disabled Veteran after suffering a knee injury while on maneuvers. He briefly sold life insurance for John Hancock before joining Hostess/Wonder Bread on October 24, 1963, the same day their third daughter was born. Bob’s work ethic earned him a supervisory role before retiring in 1993. During those years he and Marilyn raised their four daughters, nurturing their faith and volunteering at St. Ann’s Catholic School in Tacoma where the girls attended. He became a beloved coach of various boys’ basketball teams before coaching their youngest daughter’s basketball team for four years. During that time, he also led the St. Ann’s Booster Club to raise funds for all sports programs.

After the family moved to University Place, Bob became a WIAA high school girls basketball referee in Pierce County, eventually calling games for Curtis Sr. High School when his youngest daughter played.

Retirement began with a move from University Place to a new home in the Park Place neighborhood in Tacoma’s North End in 1993. He and Marilyn made many cross-country road trips to visit family and friends from MT to SD to IN to MI and attended multiple Bishop Noll class reunions. Bob coached various boys and girls basketball teams for St. Pat’s in Tacoma as well as assisted coaching his first grandson’s little league baseball team.

Bob and Marilyn were decades-long parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish in Tacoma, attending Sunday and daily Mass. They also spent many Friday evenings in prayer during Holy Hour Adoration.

Bob and Marilyn generously volunteered their time in St. Charles Borromeo Elementary School kitchen for over eight years while their granddaughter was enrolled at the school. They were also Eucharistic Ministers for the church for over a decade, serving Catholic residents at Eliseo (formerly Tacoma Lutheran Home) with weekly communion service. Bob was also an active member of the St. Charles Knights of Columbus and a dedicated supporter of the Right To Life Movement, praying for the unborn and donating resources to pregnant women in need.

Bob and Marilyn moved to Eliseo’s Assisted Living Apartments after her right hip fracture in September 2023, where the dedicated staff took amazing care of them. Bob transitioned to Eliseo’s Memory Care shortly after their 64th wedding anniversary in January 2025 while Marilyn remained in their apartment until a fall fractured her left hip and led to her peaceful passing on July 4th. Bob followed her to heaven two months to the day on September 4th after complications from a fall. It brings us comfort that he received his last rites and was surrounded by his daughters until his last breath.

Bob is survived by his four daughters: Julie (Randy) Black of Rochester, WA; Lori (Mike) Daniels of Parkland, WA; Vicki (Ray) Johnson of Ruston, WA; and Karen (Dave) Downard of Paw Paw, MI. Eight grandchildren: Derek (Heidi) Black, Lauren (Brandon) Cole, Ashley (Zack) Sharp, Tyler Daniels (Eric Duquette), Katy, Ali and Max Downard, and Taylor Johnson. Four great grandchildren: Kinsley and Cash Cole, Reese and Levi Black, and a fifth (Baby Girl Sharp) due in October 2025.

Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Marilyn (Kinsley) Hirsh of Tacoma, WA, parents John Hirsh, Sr. and Julia (Horvat) Hirsh, his only sibling, John Hirsh, Jr., and niece Liz Hirsh.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Eliseo care team from Rehabilitation, Assisted Living and Memory Care who provided loving and compassionate care to our father!

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to:

St. Charles Borromeo Elementary School

7112 South 12th Street

Tacoma, WA 98465

OR donate at https://stcharlesb.ejoinme.org/donate

St. Charles Borromeo Knights of Columbus

Council #13238

7112 South 12th Street

Tacoma, WA 98465

For loved ones who cannot attend in person, please join us via livestream:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMCpAqhgn3Q

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