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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Hegerberg, Captain Robert “Bob”

Captain Robert “Bob”Hegerberg
Master Mariner
Panama Canal Pilot

Captain Robert Anton Hegerberg, 74, passed away peacefully in his home in Spokane, WA, in the presence of his loving wife Patricia, July 1, 2012.

Born April 15, 1938 in Seattle WA, to Anton and Edna Hegerberg, Bob was the first born of two sons, Robert and Donald.

Bob’s sea going experience began as a young man (14) working alongside his father in the fishing industry.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1956 and went on to be appointed to the Naval Academy in 1958.

Bob later chose to resign from the Naval Academy and return to a civilian career in the fishing industry.

He met and married Patricia O’Connor in 1962.

Their only child, a son, Bryan (deceased ) was born in 1963.

Through a series of career moves Bob and his family were able to become residents of the world living in New Zealand (1967), Western Australia, Darwin, N.T.

(1968), Singapore (1969), Ras al-Kaimah (1970) and Anchorage, AK (1974).

After complying with Coast Guard licensing requirements, Bob was issued (1980) a Masters Unlimited license.

In 1981 Bob was offered the job in which he took his greatest pride, “Panama Canal Pilot, the job of a lifetime” he would say.

Bob loved his job.

He wore the mantle of command without effort.He would retire in 2000 and return to Spokane.

Life with Bob was never dull.

He was an avid golfer, gardener, bee keeper, computer nerd, music aficionado, amateur chef, airplane pilot, pool player and political analyst to mention a few.


We wish you, Captain Hegerberg, a smooth sea, a tall ship,
and stars to guide you throughout the universe.


Your presence in our life, lives on in each of those you touched.