Robert Alexander Brinkley
Robert Alexander Brinkley passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 14, 2010, aged 94.
Robert was the second son of Joseph A. and Ruth E. Brinkley, and was born January 5, 1916 in Bend, Oregon. When he was 2 years old, the family moved to Snoqualmie Falls, WA, where his father was employed by the Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Company, later the Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company. Robert grew up and attended school in this company town and graduated from the Snoqualmie Falls High School in 1934. The Brinkley family was active in many school and community activities, and Robert’s special interests were gymnastics and music. He won several district gymnastic events, but focused from an early age on playing the piano. He was largely self-taught in his early years, but later studied under several well known piano teachers in Seattle. He played for school events while in high school, as well as playing both piano and organ for the Snoqualmie Methodist Church. After graduation, Robert attended secretarial school in Seattle and in 1936 was hired by the Milwaukee Railroad as a stenographer. In a few years, he became the private secretary to the Vice President and General Manager of the Western Division of the railroad, based in Seattle. He made many trips across and around the country accompanying the Vice President. In the 1970’s, Robert rose to become the Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the Western Division, responsible for the railroad’s multimillion dollar short term investments. In 1979, he retired after 43 years, when the Milwaukee Road suspended train operations in the west. A life-long bachelor, Robert was a faithful Christian man who, over the years, was church organist for several large churches in Seattle. He never took any compensation for his service and looked on his playing as part of his contribution to the church. During this time, he also played on the radio in numerous venues, including for the Downtown Christian Businessmens’ program and at the Union Gospel Mission. Robert moved to Kirkland in 1962 and in 1977 moved his widowed mother into his home so he could care for her, which he did until her death in 1982. During this time, he also continued his playing for churches on the eastside, the last being the Bellewood Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, from which he finally retired as church organist at age 92. He maintained his own home until 2003, when a serious auto accident forced a move to an assisted care facility in Kirkland. Even in this setting, from time to time he gave mini concerts for the residents, with his playing always being “in demand.” Robert was predeceased by his parents, his older brother Joseph Brinkley Jr., M.D., of Great Falls, Montana, and his two sisters, Ellen Swenson and Kathleen Richards, both of Bellevue. He is survived by his nieces Mary Brinkley of Great Falls, and Carole Fisher of Bellevue, as well as his nephews, Dr. John Brinkley of Bainbridge Island, Dr. Peter Brinkley of Missoula, Montana, Kerry Richards of Seattle, Kim Richards of Vashon Island, Roger Swenson of Monroe, WA, and David Swenson of Snoqualmie, WA. Burial was at the Grandview Cemetery in Anacortes, where he rests beside his parents. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 30, at 2:00 PM at the Bellewood Presbyterian Church, 10936 NE 24th St. in Bellevue. Remembrances may be made to the Seattle Union Gospel Mission.
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