Obituary: Cain, Robert M.
Age 92
He attended Livingston schools and the Willow Creek School, returned to Livingston for 8th grade, and graduated from Park County High School in Livingston in 1939.
During and after high school, he worked summers at his aunt’s hotel in West Yellowstone, Montana and he played tenor sax in a swing band that toured throughout the state.
He was hired by the Northern Pacific Railroad on April 15th, 1941 as a Locomotive Fireman and was promoted to Locomotive Engineer early in 1944.
Bud served his country during WW II with the 101st Infantry Regiment of the 26th Division in the European Theatre and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals.
After his discharge form the military, he returned to work for the NPRR.
He was promoted and moved to Seattle as a Road Foreman of Engines in 1956 and was transferred in that position to Spokane on January 17, 1959.
On March 1st, 1975, he elected to return to engine service and worked in that capacity as an engineer on Amtrak trains until his retirement, after 40 years of service, on June 1, 1981.
In 1949, he met and fell in love with Doreen Wagenius.
They married on June 5th of that year and enjoyed 64 years of love, companionship and mutual devotion.
They are the parents of four children, Donald Cain, Kathleen Cain (married to Charles McAleese), Cheryl Cain Sinclair (who preceded him in death), and Curtis Cain (married to Zoe Cain).
His grandchildren are Maggie Lynch (married to Casey Lynch), Jordan Sinclair, Claire McAleese, Kierlyn Cain, Roseanne McAleese, and Emily Cain; his great-grandchildren are Daisy, Jack, Lucy and Henry Lynch.
Bud was a longtime member of the Masonic Bodies: the Blue Lodge for 65 years, Scottish Rite and Shrine for 64 years, and a life member of the former Arab Patrol and the Moonshriner Club of El Katif Shrine Temple.
He served ten El Katif Potentates as an Aide, President of the Valley Shrine Club and the Moonshriners.
He was also a life member of the VFW Post 1435 and Spokane Valley Elks 2228.
He and his family attended Spokane Valley United Methodist Church since 1959.
Bud loved railroading, music, golf, bowling, gardening at the home where he lived for 54 years, and spending time with his family and friends.
He lived a long and satisfying life, and he spent his final few months surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren in his home where he died peacefully, still possessing all the grace, good humor, charm, wit and intelligence that he displayed throughout his life.
He was a rare and remarkable human being who was respected, loved and admired by everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
We will all miss him very much.
A memorial service for Bud will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Road, Spokane.
If you would like to pay tribute to Bud’s life, please consider a contribution to his favorite cause, the Shriner’s Hospital for Children-Spokane, 911 West Fifth Avenue, Spokane, WA 99204.
Online guestbook at www.riplingers.com.
RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, SPOKANE, WA.