LOMAX, Bert
(Age 72)

February 6, 1945 -
August 28, 2017

Bert Lomax passed away at home on Monday, August 28, 2017 after a twenty-two year struggle with prostate cancer, his wife Eliane by his side. He was born at St Luke's Hospital, Spokane, on February 6, 1945 to Bert Carl Lomax and Jessie Lomax, née Johnson. His parents owned and operated the Lomax Bakery in Opportunity, WA. After his father's untimely death, his mother moved the family to Spokane. He attended Adams Elementary, followed by Lewis and Clark High School from which he graduated in 1963. He received a Bachelor's degree in political science from Eastern Washington College. He was awarded a fellowship at the State University of New York at Albany, where he completed his Master's degree in public administration. There, at a St Patrick's Day party, he was introduced by his Boston Irish friends to the love of his life, Eliane Dard, a French foreign student on a Fulbright fellowship. They fell in love and travelled back to Spokane to meet Bert's family. Fulfilling his military obligation, Bert was appointed to the Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army in September 1969. His first assignment was in Bamberg, Germany where his bride joined him after their marriage in Lyon, France on January 17, 1970. Bert served in Viet Nam in 1971-72. When the young couple was reunited, they established their home in Bethesda, Maryland, where they resided for thirty-eight years. Bert embarked on a long career as an international banker, until his retirement in 2004. His work and expertise took him frequently to Asia and Europe, as well as many destinations within the United States. He and Eliane shared their home with his beloved yellow Lab, Sadie and several very smart cats. Sailing played a big part in Bert's life and he enjoyed innumerable week-ends and vacations on his bright red sailboat, Garance, on Chesapeake Bay. Later, he realized his dream of rounding Cape Horn, on a beautiful cruise ship. Together with Eliane, Bert traveled worldwide. One of their favorite destinations was Kona, Hawaii where they became winter residents in 2008. After Eliane's retirement, they returned to Spokane in 2010, where he renewed his old friendships and made new ones. He and Eliane joined St Peter Catholic Church and gladly took part in many of its activities. Still in love with the water, he spent many happy, sunny days on his little runabout on beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene. Dubbed "the Mayor of Pittsburg Street" for his gregariousness, he relished a healthy discussion with his neighbors. His friends will miss his sparkling wit, his sense of humor, and his strong opinions.
His funeral Mass will be con-celebrated by Fathers Brian Mee and George Haspedis at St. Peter Catholic Church, 18th and Freya on Spokane's South Hill, on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 11:00 am, ending with military honors. A luncheon will immediately follow in the parish hall.