Robert Feil

Robert "Bob" Feil East Wenatchee, WA Robert "Bob" Feil passed away November 11, 2015 from complications of age related illness. Born March 25, 1921 to Harold and Clara (Stritzel) Feil at the home belonging to his grandfather on Red Apple Road in Wenatchee. He attended grade school in East Wenatchee, Jr. High and High School in Wenatchee, where he graduated in 1940. The family operated an orchard in Baker Flats that was started by the family in 1908. As a young person, he worked in the orchard pulling spray lines, irrigating and other orchard tasks. During high school, he and his friends would make cider, selling it door to door to buy gas for the Franklin and a movie. In school, he was drawn to the mechanical skills, where he worked in drawing and shop classes. A quick learner, he became skilled in machine tool work. After high school, he was employed at the Ford Garage, where he worked in the body shop learning to repair metal parts and painting. Boeing was hiring to gear up for the war effort and he began work there in 1942, fitting hatches and other airframe parts, noticing that there was an opening for the night shift in the machine shop - he got the position. By adapting quickly, he became one of the shop's top producers of machined components for B-17s, where he remained for the duration of the War. Working the night shift allowed him to work days for one of the top outboard mechanics in Seattle, who had worked on his father's boat racing engines. He learned quickly and soon became adept at outboard mechanics. Bob met Lucille Wood on the bus that took them to school and from Jr. High on they were sweethearts. Bob and Lucille were married in December of 1943, and made their home in Seattle where Bob was working. After the War concluded, they returned home to East Wenatchee, WA to start the family. With the savings from the two jobs during the War, they purchased an old packing shed and property along Sunset Highway. Bob adapted the old packing shed to a shop and opened a general repair business working on cars, tractors and other equipment. Boating had always been a Feil family activity. Bob's father was an avid boat racer and introduced Bob to racing at 12 years old as his deck man laying out on the deck to get the boat on plane and then easing back into the cock pit for the duration of the race. They also had a 33-foot boat on Lake Chelan, powered by a World War I aircraft engine, that for a time was the fastest boat on the lake. So, it was natural that after returning to East Wenatchee, WA Bob began racing in the F - Hydro class throughout the Northwest and Canada. One of the fellow racers was the representative for the Mercury Outboard distributor, the franchise was available, and a few engines were purchased and sold at the repair shop. Advertising money was scarce, so the engines were displayed along the Sunset Highway. Soon, boat lines were added and what would become Bob Feil Boats & Motors, Inc began. Bob received recognition from Mercury as a member of the National Dealer Congress, after being selected numerous times, a special ring was created to recognize his multiple achievements. He always considered this recognition and his relationship with Carl Kiekhaefer, the founder of Mercury, special. Carl sold him one of his offshore race boats, the 303. Bob and Lucille drove to Florida and towed it home. He had plans to race it in the Northwest, but a two-engine restriction was introduced and the 303 had three engines. Bob encouraged the family's other racing activities from snowmobiles, canoes, participation in Ridge to River and building an off shore boat (that was powered by two engines) - to this day, nearly every week, some family member is involved in a recreational or racing activity. In 1966, Bayliner boats were beginning, Bob became a dealer; now the dealership is the oldest dealer still selling the brand. Business prospered, many boat lines and products have come and gone, the business changed with the times, and has expanded into the company it is today with the third generation handling most of the operations, but it is still there on Sunset Highway with the old packing shed, displaying boats along the road just as in the beginning. In later years, hobbies included beginning the restoration of the 1930's Franklin that his father purchased new and Bob and his buddies drove in high school. As he needed a pattern for some of the parts, Bob and Lucille drove to the East Coast and brought a similar Franklin home that the previous owner had been using as his regular transportation for years. Family gatherings at Holidays were always a big event and all the family fondly recall Lucille's meals, along with the parading and posing for home movies. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille (Wood); his parents, Harold and Clara (Stritzel); sister, Annise (Sturdy). He is survived by brother, Jack of Baker Flats; daughter, Becky (Jerry) Besel; sons, Dan (Sally), Dick (Delores) and Tom (Susan); numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would be the first to tell you that he lived a great life, had a wonderful wife (he carried her well-worn picture for over 70 years in his wallet) and a family that will remember him and his accomplishments. 94 years 7 months plus one not so good week - we all should have such a life. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, November 20, 2015 at Wenatchee Free Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. A Private Burial was held at Evergreen Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to charity of choice. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Robert Feil

March 25, 1921 - November 11, 2015