Robert L. "Bob" George

After a day in the loving embrace of his family, and knowing they were enjoying one of his favorite meals, pizza, Robert L. “Bob” George passed away following a brief illness Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019.

The adoring husband of Barbara, doting father of three, fun grandfather to five and special great-grandfather to one, had recently celebrated his 86th birthday.

Bob was born in Cleveland, Ohio and reared in Mt. Vernon in the Buckeye State. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and while stationed at Pearl Harbor, met Barbara Mahany in 1954.

He loved telling the sweet story about how they met. With a wide grin, he would describe approaching her while she was on a summer study program at the University of Hawaii. Bob claimed to be writing about students for a Pearl Harbor magazine.

Only after endearing himself, did he confess to just wanting to meet her.

They were married two years later in 1956, and raised two sons, Eric and Michael, and one daughter, Anna. Bob’s family moved from San Jose, California to Troutdale, Oregon in 1970, and bought a farm to teach their children how to live off the land.

In addition to raising goats, chickens and growing a garden at home, Bob worked in the school-bus industry. He sold buses, then was Director of Transportation for the Gresham School District, and eventually retired in 1995 from the Pupil Transportation division of the Oregon Department of Education.

Because his education at San Jose State University in California was interrupted due to his military service, Bob completed his degree remotely in 2017, and was awarded his degree at the age of 83.

During retirement, Bob and Barbara enjoyed traveling in their RV, wintering in Arizona, and volunteering. He thrived helping others in need, and volunteered in Thailand after the earthquake and tsunami, and in Texas after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The couple had been married 63 years at the time of Bob’s death.
Bob’s first passion was his family, but softball and fishing were close runner ups. At 82, Bob played on a traveling senior softball team that won a World Series Championship. And he fished with enthusiasm in Alaska and at the Oregon Coast.

This kind and loving man is survived by his wife, Barbara George, sons Eric George (Teresa) and Michael George (Laura), daughter Anna Edison (Chris), grandchildren Kyle Nelsen, Alex Edison, James Edison, Molly Edison, Emme George, great-granddaughter Aubrey Nelsen, sister Jeanne Fowl, and several nieces and nephews.

At his request, services will be private. Knowing this, he instead invited family and friends to a birthday party/Celebration of Life while he was still alive to enjoy it. It was held one week before his actual birthday at Capitol Manor in West Salem. His family says he was tickled seeing folks from near and far who showed up to be with him, share stories, and grinned throughout it all.

His family is content knowing he loved the day.