Father Robert P. Himes

Father Robert P. Himes, a senior priest of the Diocese of Yakima who served as a high school teacher and counselor in Central Washington for nearly 40 years, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 16. He was 92.

Fr. Himes was in assisted care at Highgate Senior Living Community in Yakima, where he had resided since his retirement in 2020 as pastor of the Catholic churches in Grand Coulee, Hartline and Coulee City.

The son of Harry Robert Himes and Joanna Patricia (Quinn) Himes, Fr. Himes was born in Brookville, PA on November 29, 1932, the second of seven children. He attended the local parish grade school, Immaculate Conception, for eight years. In September 1946 he entered the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio for studies leading to his ordination to the priesthood there on June 10, 1958, by Cardinal Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, the Vatican's apostolic delegate to the United States.

In July of that year, he came to Yakima and was assigned to St. Paul Cathedral as associate pastor. In 1960 he began his studies for a Bachelor of Education degree at Seattle University. He began teaching social studies at Central Catholic High School that fall. He continued to teach, first at Central Catholic and then at Carroll High School. He was involved in counseling from 1972 till he left teaching.

Writing in support of his efforts to be certified as a counselor, Msgr. Perron Auve, principal of Carroll in 1972, wrote that Fr. Himes "has an easy rapport with the students... (they) know that he understands them and their problems, and that he is truly interested in them and their welfare. His office is a busy place."

Following the closure of Carroll in 1986, Fr. Himes taught for a year at Venango Christian High School in Oil City, PA, where he also served as pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish. Returning to the Yakima Diocese in 1987, he served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in White Salmon for two years, then Blessed Sacrament Parish in Grandview until 2000. From 1990-2000 he was a part-time counselor at the Bickleton School in Bickleton, WA. He then moved to Grand Coulee to serve the small parishes there, from 2000 to 2020.

Fr. Himes's other assignments as a priest included four years in residence, from 1960 to 1964, at St. John Parish in Naches, also serving his final year there as an instructor at St. Peter Seminary in Cowiche. In residence at Holy Family Parish from 1964-1966, he then returned to Naches as pastor, until 1986.

He enjoyed reading, hiking and swimming. He spent his vacations with his family.

Fr. Himes is survived by two sisters: Sister Mary Andrew (Ellen) Himes, and Dorothy T. O'Connell. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, M. Eugenia Alaimo, Joanna P. Spazzarini, and Sheila B. Fiscus; and one brother, Michael A. Himes.

A viewing will be held at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 S. 12th Ave. in Yakima, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, August 29, followed by a Funeral Vigil service. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Joseph Tyson at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, also at St. Paul. Following cremation, Fr. Himes' ashes will be interred at a later date in the Priests Plot at Calvary Cemetery in Yakima.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to La Salle High School, 3000 Lightning Way, Union Gap, WA 98903.

Smith Funeral Home has been entrusted with caring for Fr. Himes. Online condolences may be left at http://www.funeralhomesmith.com