Obituary: Robert Leslie Williams-Cobb

Robert Leslie Williams-Cobb was born Dec. 30, 1972, in Paradise, Calif., to Alison (Lisa) Cobb and Michael (Mike) Williams. He grew up in northern California with his mom, sister Jocelyn and stepdad Jim Cobb, where he developed a love for all things outdoors. After his mom passed unexpectedly, the family relocated to Young's Ranch on the Klamath River, where Rob learned to kayak and raft and spent his free time steelhead fishing. His high school years took him to Happy Camp, Redding and finally Fresno, where he began dating his future wife, Keri, late into their senior year.

After high school, Rob attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he learned to surf, play guitar and studied fisheries biology – in that order. It was during those years that Rob made some of his dearest lifelong friends and came to know and trust Jesus through the Living Water Bible Study Group.

Rob graduated college in 1996, and he and Keri married a week later. They made their home in Wasco, where Keri had taken a job with the city the year prior. Without many prospects for a job in fisheries biology, Rob applied for an open biology teaching position at Wasco High School. Three weeks later, he welcomed his first class of students.

Rob eventually left classroom teaching for administrative positions with the district, and over the years held the positions of assistant principal, director of categorical programs, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He loved his Wasco Union High School District family and cared deeply for its students and staff.

In 2002, Rob and Keri welcomed their oldest daughter, Hannah. In 2004, they welcomed twin girls Grace and Sarah, and in 2010, their bonus son, Jerry, came to live with them. Rob devoted himself to his family, spending countless hours watching and supporting his girls in sports, art, music, academics and whatever else they chose to participate in.

Rob loved the water and music. He found a home playing guitar with the church worship team and on the pool deck watching his girls swim. He would later teach guitar lessons and help manage the Shafter Fusion School of Music and the Wasco Tiger Sharks Swim Club.

Rob was a gentle, kind soul who loved and served his people and his community with integrity and humility.

He is survived by his wife, Keri; daughters Hannah, Grace and Sarah; father Mike Williams; stepfather and stepmother, Jim and Sue Cobb; sister Jocelyn Lombard (Mitch); brother Joe Williams (Sarah); brother Doug Williams (Rachel); many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; and a host of some of the best friends and co-workers anyone could ever ask for.

Services for Rob will be held on March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Wasco High School auditorium.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wasco Community Scholarship Association http://www.wascocommunityscholarship.org, P.O. Box 7, Wasco 93280.