Robert Warrack

Attack Takes Light Keeper [The Oregonian, 3 Jun 1947, p11; w/photo]

Robert Warrack Service Wednesday

Robert Warrack, 82, for many years superintendent of the 17th lighthouse district, died suddenly of a heart attack early Monday at his home, 1926 S.W. Clifton street.

Mr. Warrack, born in Amerdeen, Scotland, October 11, 1864, came to Portland in 1886, beginning his government career on November 8, 1886 with the United States engineers on the construction of the Cascade locks.

He saw duty on the Columbia river and in May, 1900, was transferred to the lighthouse department. He had been in his work ten years when it was separated from the activities of the corps of engineers of the United States army and became a civilian bureau. He was placed in charge of the district on February 1, 1915, retiring on January 1, 1930. During the time he was identified with lighthouse work, 12 new stations were built in Alaska and seven in Oregon and Washington.

He married Alice Crawford on November 7, 1893, in St. Stephen’s Episcopal cathedral in Portland. His funeral will be held there Wednesday at 2:30 P.M., with interment in Riverview cemetery.

Since his retirement he has made two trips to England and Scotland. He was a member of the British Benevolent society, St. Andrew’s society, a life member of the Multnomah club and a member of St. Stephen’s. Although he lived in Portland, he spent most of his summers in his summer home at Seaside.

Surviving are his widow Alice, one son, Capt. Robert C. Warrack, Coronado, Cal.; one granddaughter, Alice Elizabeth Lockhart, and a sister, Mrs. Arthur Watson, Harrow, England.