Most people, when they reach a retirement age in their 60s or 70s, think about slowing down.
Take it easy. Stop and smell the roses. Forget what day of the week it is.
But this is not Pam Bobiles’ philosophy.
“If I don’t do what I do, I’m gonna get fat and lazy,” said Bobiles, who at 76 is still going strong.
Now a grandmother, she still teaches special education at Stevens Middle School in Pasco.
At one point, for 10 years, she was a foster care parent, with some 200 to 300 kids finding refuge at her Richland home.
And when people start thinking about slowing down in their late 50s, Bobiles did the opposite. She started umpiring softball 20 years ago — both fastpitch and slowpitch — and she officiates well over 200 contests a year.
The Washington Officials Association — the organization that oversees almost all sports officials in the state — recently named her the Official of the Year for slowpitch softball.
“We are incredibly proud of Pam and her accomplishments,” said Pasco School District Superintendent Michelle Whitney. “Her commitment to our students and athletes is truly inspiring, and her passion for both education and sports has made a lasting impact in our community.”