Robert ‘‘Bob" Overjorde saw a side of the Cold War that most people only read about in spy novels.

As a CIA operative, he worked on the U-2 spy plane program. He worked in North Vietnam during the war. He trailed communists around Europe. He broke into the Russian embassy in Uganda.

While he told family and friends about portions of his career in clandestine operations for the CIA, much of his life can only be guessed at.

In photographs, he looks confident. He's always driving convertibles. He's occasionally dressed in a tuxedo. And he's always paired with beautiful women.

After a career in the CIA -- or The Agency, as he called it -- Overjorde returned to his hometown. He retired in 1974 at the age of 50 and settled in the Spokane Valley. In retirement he fished, read and took the occasional trip to Daytona or the Indy 500.

Overjorde died June 16 from cancer. He was 77 years old.

Joe Murphy -- who joined The Agency with Overjorde in 1956 --said his friend had amazing social skills and could move comfortably in

any circle he chose.

While stationed in Europe and working on the U-2 program together, the two men would take occasional vacations to Germany or Austria.

They'd stay in nice hotels and everyone seemed to know Overjorde, Murphy said.

‘‘Some of us in those early days, we felt like ragamuffins when we walked into his presence," Murphy said.

Tall and handsome, Overjorde was noticed when he walked into a room.

While he was married briefly, he did not have any children. He was close to his mother, Marie Stickney, and his stepfather, Jud Stickney. Both are deceased.

Overjorde grew up in Spokane as an only child. He graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in 1943 and entered the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet, going on to become a flying officer.

After World War II, he studied art at Sacramento State University and after realizing it would be difficult to find work, joined the CIA.

Peggy Colwell, who lived with Overjorde for many years, said she was impressed with how he never was a show-off.

He told her stories about his time in the CIA, often relating them to his views on political issues.

He was proud of the agency and the work he did, Colwell said.

He never referred to himself as a spy, a term he would've considered unsophisticated.

‘‘He was a professional," Colwell said. ‘‘He was proud of The Agency."

Overjorde was viewed with a little bit of awe and a lot of respect by Dan McKinney, Maureen Stevens and Cathie Barker. The three are siblings and second cousins to Overjorde.

Stevens cared for Overjorde the last two months of his life. They sorted through old photographs and played a lot of poker.

‘‘He was very dignified," Stevens said. ‘‘It was like when he walked into a room, he demanded respect."

For McKinney, his cousin was an inspiration as someone who went to college and had a successful career.

‘‘He was an amazing guy. As complex as he was, he was very reachable in many ways," he said.

They played charades with Overjorde and watched movies and played pinochle.

Betsy Mason was a bartender at Papagayos when she met Overjorde. She was impressed with how distinguished and what a gentleman he was. The two became friends. Mason said Overjorde seemed to completely enjoy retirement.

He did what he wanted -- whether it was heading to Canada to fish or going with friends to the Testicle Festival in Montana. Mason's husband, Kent, frequently played chess and watched baseball with Overjorde.

‘‘He really enjoyed life," she said. ‘‘He lived life on his terms and that's the way it was."

Trinity Hartman can be reached at 927-2164 or by e-mail at trinityh@spokesman.com.

Tributes is a regular feature of the Valley Voice that celebrates the lives of Spokane Valley residents who have died recently. Seemingly ordinary citizens -- who typically aren't featured in the newspaper -- often lead lives that are exemplary or

extraordinary. If you would like to suggest someone for this feature, please contact Valley Editor Mike Schmeltzer at 927-2170.