Hit-and-run victim remembered

They don’t know who was driving the silver passenger car with dark windows that hit and killed a 29-year-old riding his scooter home from work Friday evening.

But Robb Long’s friends, family and co-workers have plenty to tell the anonymous driver, who ran a red light and then slammed into Long, killing him under Interstate 90 on Sprague Avenue.

“I just hope he has enough of a guilt trip to turn himself in and make peace with himself and his Lord,” said Bob Long, Robb’s grandfather. Bob and his wife, Elise, were about to celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary Friday night, and Robb Long was headed to their party after work. He never made it.

“What a damn coward you are to hit someone and to go up on the freeway and drive away,” Elise Long said, frustrated by the lack of knowledge about who took away the grandson she called an “angel.”

Spokane County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said detectives were still working on the case and a few calls into the tip line were not producing solid leads. An autopsy Monday revealed Long died of massive internal head and chest injuries.

At nearby Costco Wholesale on East Sprague, employees were speaking with grief counselors and remembering the man who worked in the pharmacy as a technician. Workers from nearby Costco stores came to the Valley location to help take shifts.

“People keep looking for him to come through the door,” said Chris Willard, manager of the Costco pharmacy. He and Robb Long were friends; Willard would often invite Long over for dinner, and Long helped him with projects around the house.

Long had a friendly demeanor, strong work ethic, and talent for smiling that was unmatched, Willard said.

“When he interviewed for the job, he said his goal was to be the best employee I’ve ever had,” he said. “It’s rare to see the dedication, devotion and ability to go the extra mile that Robb had.”

Neighbors gathered Monday at Bob and Elise Long’s home on Seventh Avenue in Spokane Valley. Robb Long lived down the block from them and came over every night to talk, Elise Long said.

“It’s going to be such a loss,” she said. “They don’t know what they took away from us. He was always there for everybody.”

Elise Long said she remembered a “good-lookin’ kid” who once as a young boy joined her to paint outside the house, but ended up painting the family dog instead.

“I’m so proud of the fact that he gave his strength to other people,” Elise Long said. “It’s good to have the wonderful memories we have.”

Family members are planning a memorial at 4 p.m. June 24 at the Spokane Valley Elks Club.

Meanwhile, Chris Willard said he isn’t sure how he’s ever going to find somebody to take Robb Long’s place at Costco.

“His gift was to be a friend to anyone who was around him. I won’t find that. How do you replace that? I don’t know.”