Bob Greene (Makah)
Robert Greene Sr. (April 16, 1918 – June 21, 2010) was an American Makah elder. Greene was the oldest living Makah man and the second-to-last surviving Makah veteran of World War II at the time of his death in 2010.[1] He was a fluent speaker of the Makah language, an indigenous language spoken by the Makah people of Washington state.[1]
Biography
[edit]Greene was born on April 16, 1918, in Neah Bay, Washington, to parents, Walter and Florence Tucker-Greene.[1] He enrolled in Chemawa Indian Boarding School, located near Salem, Oregon, where he became a boxing champion.[1] He was a fluent speaker of Makah, an increasingly rare language.
He enlisted in the United States Army after leaving Chemawa.[1] Greene served in the Pacific theater during World War II.[1] He would be honored at the Makah Days Parade for 52 years for service during the war.
Death
[edit]Greene died of natural causes on June 21, 2010, at the age of 92.[1] His wife, Hazel Butler-Greene, and two daughters predeceased him.[1] Greene was survived by four daughters, Janice La Chester, Elaine Richardson, Pam Greene and Trudy Ward, and four sons, Bob Greene Jr., Keith Greene, Craig Greene Sr. and Kevin Greene.[1]
Upon Greene's death, John Ides became the last surviving Makah veteran of World War II.[1]