RICHLAND, Wash. Robert C. “Bob” Drake died on Feb. 12, at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Wash., at the age of 78.

He was born on June 16, 1929 in Heppner to Cleo and Gladys Lundell Drake. He was raised and graduated high school in Ione. Bob then joined the United States Army and served from 1950 until 1952 when he was honorably discharged and returned to Ione. He owned and operated a service station in Ione where he pumped gas and repaired cars for several years. Bob married Helen Paine on Oct. 13, 1975 in Reno, Nev. They sold the service station in the late 1970s and moved to Parkrose where they owned and operated a Tastee Freeze Restaurant for a time. They sold it and moved to The Dalles in the early 1980s where Bob went to work for Napa Auto Parts.

They moved to Guam for a year where he worked at an auto parts store before returning to The Dalles and the Napa Auto Parts. Bob retired in 2002 and moved to Hermiston where he has lived since. He enjoyed reading the paper, watching TV, and going to the casinos.

He is survived by his sons, Kent Gutierrez and his wife, Rene of Hermiston, Kevin Gutierrez and his wife, Peggy of Walla Walla, Wash., Kim Gutierrez and his wife Gayle of Heppner, and Craig Gutierrez and his wife Debbie of Heppner; daughters, Christine Smith and her husband Chuck of Hermiston, and Cathleen McCabe and her husband, Ashley of Ione; brother, Ernie Drake, Fairfield, Calif.; sister, Delores Turner, Vancouver, Wash.; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Drake in 2001, his parents; and a sister, Patricia Tucker.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. at High View Cemetery in Ione.

Those who wish may make contributions in Bob’s memory to the Ione Education Fund.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of the arrangements.