"I have only the best memories of the whole family. The basketball camp was awesome. Bob and Les Hobegger made the whole experience wonderful. When we went to camp we were dropped off in Port Townsend. We walked on the Ferry. Once offloaded on Whidbey Island we would walk into camp. Mrs Houbregs, Bob's mom, was a great cook. She would give me samples and snacks at the back door of the kitchen. Think she cooked at Queen Anne High School. Friday night I helped cook salmon at the beach with coach Wortman and Lynn Nance (not sure which one). We cooked it Indian style. The whole camp had dinner on the driftwood looking to he South towards Port Townsend. Played both ping pong and badmitten with Bob. He brought up the first pair of Converse shoes made, they were black. Bob Jr. Todd and the twins, Guy and Jol, were all over the camp and very popular. I treated them like my younger brothers I never had. One year I went as a camper for 5 of the 6 weeks. Stayed in lower Blue with Bruce Case as my counselor. The camp drank Mountain Dew pop. We watched every UW game ever played at night in the Theater. Many great skits by counselors and campers. The best was Dr. Neimo. The test flights of the new 747 flew over camp. Was at camp when we landed on the moon and J.F.K was killed. Bob's wife, Artis, was one of the only women in the camp. She was very cool and everyone thought Bob was lucky to have such a beautiful wife. She always smiled. We played in Fort Casey any time we could. The old WWI Fort had many areas to run. The counselors were all division one players and we loved to watch them play. Jim Raffle was one of my favorite counselors. He was in an accident and killed after college. He had very red hair. They called him "Red". Bob Jr married Toni Spence from Hogarson High School. She was the best cheerleader and a real beauty. She is a 1973 HHS classmate of mine. Toni has told me how much she loves all the family. Bob stared camp Sunday night on the basketball courts. He shot hooks from both sidelines and the head of the key. All three were swishes. Nobody had ever had seen anything like that before. After the campers lights were out the counselors would go to Coupville and check out the mayors establishment. Vick Seely had a tavern. The coaches would go to Captain Whidbey to unwind. Counselors: Steve Hawes-Mercer Island Jim Raffle-Rainer Beach John Quigg-Hoquiam Bill Quigg-Hoquiam Jeff Howes-Mercer Island Bruce Case-Newport Hal Calbomb-RA Long Ron Howard-Pasco Bob Nanny-Kelso Clint Peoples Tommy Little The camp focused on Fundamentals. (please forgive all misspelled words and names) "
In loving memory of
Robert "Bob" Houbregs
March 12, 1932 - May 28, 2014
Robert Bob Houbregs was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on March 12, 1932, and passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Olympia, Washington. He was 82 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jol and Mary Houbregs, and a sister, Valerie. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ardis, his four sons, Robert Jr. and wife Toni, Todd, Jol, and Guy, and grandchildren Tyson, Hannah, and Alex.
Bob moved with his family from Vancouver to Seattle at a young age. He graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1949 and attended the University of Washington on a basketball scholarship where he starred in basketball and baseball. He led the Husky basketball team to three consecutive Pacific Coast Conference championships and, in 1953, led them to the only Final Four appearance in team history. That season Bob was selected a consensus All-American and the Helms Foundation NCAA Player of the Year - the only Husky ever to earn those honors. He was known as Hooks because of his deadly hook shot and still holds many records at the University of Washington including the top three single game scoring totals. His number 25 was the first of only two jerseys to be retired by the University.
After his senior season he was chosen third overall in the NBA draft by the Milwaukee Hawks and played five seasons before retiring because of injury. He was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame (1979), the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1987), and the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame (2000). Bob went on to a long career with Converse and served as general manager of the Seattle Supersonics from 1970 - 1973.
Bob was very proud of his accomplishments on the basketball court but most important to him were his family and friends. He took every opportunity he could to be with them. He loved to laugh and joke around and whether it was golf, poker, table tennis, or a game of Mexican Train with his grandchildren, the same competitive drive that helped him excel on the court was on display. One of Bob's favorite memories was the Bob Houbregs Basketball Camp that he ran at Fort Casey on Whidbey Island in the 1960s and 1970s. Each summer hundreds of high school basketball players came to camp to learn from the best players and coaches in the state. To this day the campers fondly recall their time at camp. The relationships Bob formed with the campers and coaches were a source of great joy for him until the end. He had friends and colleagues across the state and across the country and he stayed in touch with them on a regular basis. He was a man who gave much, asked for little, and always had time to help a friend. He will be remembered as a man of integrity and class and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Arrangements are by Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home. There will be a private graveside service. The family asks that remembrances be made to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children or the Seattle Wounded Warrior Project.
Tributes
"I still remember getting Most Improved Player in the NCAA Division in 1975 at Bob's basketball camp on Whidbey Island. It was an awkward time for me (being 6'2" and 13), but Bob and his staff provided a fun week that I will always remember. Thank you."
"To the Houbregs family, Janise and I want to pass along our heartfelt condolences to all of the family for Bob's passing. For all his accomplishments in athletics and business, Bob will be remembered by me, and anyone who had the privilege of knowing him, first and foremost as a gentleman, friend, and role model. He had a tremendous effect on my life as a mentor and friend. Our relationship began at the sports camp, where he took me under his wing in teaching me the nuances of post play. Of course, there was much more than that in the delivery of the message. The message was to do things the right way, be honest and fair with others (and yourself), and conduct yourself in a way that reflects positively in everything you do. The message became stronger the older I grew. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to Bob for his influence on my life. We send our very best wishes to all of you. I hope it's comforting for you all to know that Bob had such a strong positive influence through the way he lived his life and the people he touched. I count myself lucky to be one of them. Best regards, Steve and Janise Hawes"
"Ardis, please accept our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Gerry and I have a great fondness for Bob. He was one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met. He will remain in our thoughts and hearts for ever Love you all Jim and Gerry"
"Bob Houbregs will be remembered for many things, but he was a Giant of a Man for his personal care and interest in other people. There has been nobody like him, he never forgets anyone and welcomes new people in his circle of friendship. I am amazed at how many people he touched. LaDon Henson "Blondie" who I worked with in Mt. Vernon in the mid 1940's. The list goes on and on. We think of Ardis and the family and pray for God's comfort in this great loss. How fortunate to have had Bob in all their lives, and ours. His memory shines like the sun. Sincerely, Jack & Kay Morrill. "
"Growing up we had always heard about 'Bob Houbregs' from our Dad, LaDon Henson. When my Dad was dying he wanted to make sure and see Bob. We were thrilled that Bob made the trip to see my Dad and to visit with all of us for over 2 hours. When Bob left, my Dad said he was done and he didn't want any more visitors. So Bob was the last non-family member Dad saw before he died. Bob was gracious enough to be a speaker at Dad's funeral and that meant the world to my family. Even though I only met Bob a few times, he has been a part of the Henson family for as long as I can remember (along with the other Husky basketball players that Dad played with). Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Linda Henson"
"I was deeply sadden to hear about 'Houbs" death. What a gentleman he was and I was honored to know him. Such a wonderful sense of humor, wonderful stories and a true friend to all who knew him. He achieved a lot in his life, but the friendships he nurtured were the BEST. I always was glad to talk with him and to reminisce about basketball and mutual friends. He'll be missed by so many people. Bruce King"
"Hello Jol, Guy, and the Houbregs family, I was sorry to read in the paper this week that your Dad passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Thank you for providing the excellent obituary. I was quite interested to read the fuller story about him that I had known some bits and pieces of. I also enjoyed the Seattle Times article earlier in the week, very well done. In thinking about when your family moved to Bainbridge, Junior Golf at Wing Point, etc., lots of good times! I would enjoy getting together and playing some golf or something if you happen to be in Seattle sometime. If you get a chance, please email me! Best regards, Erik Berg "
"We were good friends for over 68 years. He was like a brother to m that I never had. Take care of yourselves now. May his soul rest in peace. Billy Lagreid"
"Ardis and Sons, Was so sad to hear of Bob's passing, growing up as children have so many wonderful memories of Jol, Mary, Bob and Valerie. Remo and I will always recall our wonderful times .Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Peachie "
" My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today, Ardie. Bob was a great person to work for and with at the Sonics. Fun times. "
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Houbregs family. I am honored thinking of the good times shared with this true gentleman. God has gained a wonderful addition to His kingdom!"
"All my love is reaching out to all of you in the Houbregs family. .Bob and Ardis have always been like family to me and one of my happiest memories was attending the Houbregs wedding and watching Bob bending over to kiss Ardis. You felt the love then and it was obvious to me that their love never changed from that moment on. I know the last few years were hard on Bob and his family; to watch a man Bigger than Life slowly wither away with illness, but the love Bob felt for his family kept him strong until God called. God Blessed Bob and now God Bless his family! Love, Jeanne"
"With heartfelt sympathy, Evergreen Washelli"