Sappington

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – Robert Blake Sappington, 43, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., died Sept. 7, 2008, at his home. A rosary will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, with a celebration of life service to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.

Mr. Sappington was born April 24, 1965, in Pendleton to Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Sappington. He attended school in Hermiston, graduating from Hermiston High School in 1983 with honors. He attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., graduating with honors in 1986 with a bachelors degree in English and literature. For his sophomore year in college he attended the University of London in England as an exchange student studying English, literature, and political science.

He was a longtime substitute teacher at Mt. Rainier High School in Seattle before moving to Camas, Wash., where he taught English and coached both basketball and baseball. He earned his master’s degree from Western Washington University in 1991. He moved to Helena, Mont., in 1997 and worked as a school administrator. In 2004 he moved to Tarpon Springs, Fla., and was a school administrator and most recently the assistant principal at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill, Fla.

Mr. Sappington is survived by daughters Hannah and Alexandra, both of Tarpon Springs, Fla.; mother Anne Sappington of Hermiston; and sisters Sheila Golden of Spokane, Wash., and Charlanne Sappington of Vancouver, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Charles E. Sappington, and sister Susan Hafen.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.