Robert H. Booth Memorial Scholarship

The Robert H. Booth Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of Robert Booth, a local athlete whose success in sports landed him a full ride scholarship to play football at Washington State University from 1991 – 1996. Rob was well known as a passionate teacher, coach, and advocate for student athletes. His loyalty to and love for family, friends, and the Pasco community will always be regarded as one of his best traits. This annual scholarship supports students in Pasco School District who demonstrate both athletic dedication and life-long determination to succeed no matter what, empowering them to pursue higher education with purpose and resilience.

Robert was born in Pasco on October 24, 1972, to Robert and Rose Booth and passed away unexpectedly on November 1, 2023, at the age of 51.

He attended Livingston, McLoughlin and graduated in 1991 from Pasco High.

Rob participated in multiple sports while at PHS earning all-league honors in football and basketball. During his high school football career, he earned several league honors including being voted by the State Coaches Association as the Washington State Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. While playing for the basketball team, PHS won two league titles, a district title and earned a trip to the Seattle Coliseum for the state tournament.

Accepting a football scholarship to play at Washington State University, Rob was honored as a three-time varsity letterman. While on the team, WSU played in both the Copper Bowl and the Alamo Bowl.  Rob was also a member of the infamous Palouse Posse that is well known for its defensive dominance in the early 1990s. 

Rob earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Washington State University, his teaching certificate from Heritage University, and his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University.

He began his teaching career at Pasco High School but went on to teach Physical Education and Health at Emerson Elementary, Marie Curie Elementary, McLoughlin Middle School, and most recently, Ray Reynolds Middle School. 

Coaching was one of Rob’s passions and he led several girls’ and boys’ sports over the years at Ochoa, McLoughlin, Reynolds, Pasco High and Chiawana High.  He was lucky to coach his own children in basketball and football as well.

Rob also had the pleasure to coach with amazing staff led by Steve Graff and fellow PHS alums Chad Herron and Scott Bond.

Robert’s legacy will live on through his wife Becky Hawes (Pasco High ’91), children (Jordan, Madison, Jack and Hayden), siblings (Lorie, Val, Roberta, and Larry who passed away on September 9, 2024), numerous cousins, and countless friends.