On May 12, 1912 he was united in marriage to Helen Irene Duggins at Bakersfield, California. They returned to the Vernonia ranch where farm work was continued, along with supplemented income from working on the roads and in the Oregon American Lumber Co. In the late 1920's they moved to a 5 acre place along the Nehalem River in the Treharne community when Bob worked for both Koster Logging Co. and Clark and Wilson, felling and bucking timber and providing wood as fuel for the donkey engines and hauling logs, as well as clearing and cultivating land. After the children left home, Robert and Irene moved back to Vernonia where they made a home within 1/2 mile of his birthplace. He became custodian of the Vernonia High School in July of 1936, making friends of the teachers and students alike, who sought him for his down-to-earth advice and philosophy. After 22 years of service, he retired in 1958 but continued an active life in sports, travel and gardening well into his 90th year to become the oldest living native son of Vernonia. Bob, following in his father's footsteps, became an Oddfellow in 1924 as well as a Rebekah. He served as a Chief Patriarch and Special District Deputy Grand Master and Noble Grand of the Vernonia Lodge #246 I.O.O.F. at the age of 95. He also served as a City Councilman and on the School Board. He was a longtime member of the Sunset Trap Club in Banks and of the Natal Grange #302. He was an accomplished hunter of both deer and elk, both in the Vernonia area and in Eastern Oregon, did trapping with his old friend Walter Parker and has fished in Alaska, British Columbia, all along the Pacific from Seattle to San Diego and was a commercial razor clam digger from his cottage at Sunset Beach at Warrenton, Oregon. He also enjoyed trap shooting, traveling to them all over Oregon, Washington and California. At the age of 80 he learned to make latchhook rugs to fill in his evening hours. About this time he was most fortunate to have the companionship of his dear friend, Ruth Steers, who provided material contributions to his welfare after a broken leg with long term disability, beginning in 1987. Robert's life long philosophy was to help others. "Whenever I can help somebody, I do. That's all a man is really good for, is helping others, what's the way I was raised. When I was a kid we often woke up in the middle of the night to find mother gone to help a sick neighbor." He practiced the words of Lest Garner in Columbia County History, Volume 20 (1981) "One's endeavors are enhanced by the privilege of sharing with others." He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, on May 22, 1964, after celebrating fifty-two years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by two daughters, Elna and Ethel, a brother, Omar, and four sisters, Emily, Bertha, Oral and Margaret. Bob passed away Thursday morning, January 28, 1993 at Forest Grove, following an extended illness. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Betty Spencer of Petaluma, California. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, four nieces and nephews, and fifteen other descendants. The family suggest that in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the I.O.O.F. Grand Lodge of Oregon, 3202 S.E. Holgate Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97202, in his memory. Family and friends are invited to attend a reception immediately following the services, to be held in the school cafeteria, under the direction of Carolyn Keasey.
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