Bob Barca, 72, passed away suddenly Sept. 26, 2013 while vacationing on the Oregon coast. Born and raised in San Pedro, Calif., he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from the University of Southern California. He is a retired Everett CC professor having taught previously at Dakota Wesleyan University and Fergus Falls Community College.

He had been gardening on Whidbey Island since 1980. His current garden “Hummingbird Hill” has a Mediterranean design. It features drought-tolerant plants, raised stone beds with gravel mulch, garden walls and unique water features. Attractive to wildlife, the garden has many plants that are unusual in NW gardens. He enjoyed finding out what plants can grow in our NW climate.

He was a WSU Master Gardener. He enjoyed giving gardening talks to many groups in the area. The NW Horticultural Society, the NW Perennial Alliance, the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon and the Arboretum Foundation are just some of the groups he belonged to.

He had a passion for cooking and baking with sourdough. His starter dated back to 1970. As a part of his marriage proposal, he asked his bride “to be” to be sure there was always room for his starter in the refrigerator.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Annette Barca; his brother, Richard (Betty) Barca, Jackson, Mich.; his sister-in-law, Marcia Bergquist, Greenbank; and many special friends and gardeners.

An open garden/memorial will be held in his garden on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 from 12-4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Snohomish Master Gardener Foundation, the Arboretum Foundation/New Zealand Garden or your local food bank.