Thursday, April 25, 2024
Robert J. (Bob) Spampani was born March 18, 1948 in Erie, Penn. to Tito and Kathryne Spampani and died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015 from graft versus host disease following a liver transplant.
He was a loving husband to his wife Pam of 36 years, and a wonderful, caring father to his son Rob.
In addition to his wife and son, he is also survived by his sister Judie (Edward), nieces Deb, Darleen (Dave), Sallie, Marcie and nephew Brett (Kerry), as well as aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by parents Tito and Kathryne Spampani.
Bob graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1970. He was a middle school and assistant high school band director at Holmes High School, just outside of Cincinnati, for two years. Though he left teaching, music remained a lifelong passion.
In 1975, Bob made a dramatic career change and went to work for the American Sterilizer Company, AMSCO, selling capital equipment to hospitals. He started in sales, which took him to Fargo, N.D. where he met and married Pam.
They moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1983 to advance his career and he became a systems project manager, designing OR surgical suites and central service areas. He was the consummate professional.
Throughout his 33 year career with AMSCO/STERIS, he held other positions as well. Among them, project manager for the Lab/Scientific division; he was one of four Critical Care directors and for 21 years proudly served as the corporate liaison to the AIA/Academy of Architects for Healthcare.
After STERIS, Bob started Healthcare Specialties & Consulting, working until health issues prevented him from further pursuit of that endeavor.
Bob played the trumpet, so it was only natural that he became an avid follower of drum and bugle corp competitions.
He enjoyed creating slide presentations set to music of special events for friends, he was an enthusiastic Seahawk fan and treasured every moment he spent with his son Rob.
He also liked to spend time in the yard, but that was more about visiting with neighbors than about yardwork. Bob really loved people, and they loved him in return.
Many considered him to be one of the kindest, most caring men they knew, and everyone loved his laugh and his smile. The family will miss his kind, gentle spirit and forever hold him in their hearts.
The family is eternally grateful to the dedicated staff at UWMC who cared for him and them as they traveled this uncharted path. In lieu of flowers, Bob would be honored if donations were made to the University of Washington Medical Center (UW Medicine Advancement), Box 358045, Seattle, WA 98195-8045 or the Make a Wish Foundation.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. John's Mission in Mukilteo. Share memories and view family photos and a slideshow at www.becksfuneralhome.com.
