Robert Gerhart Wenzel

Robert was born December 27, 1935, in Portland, OR. He grew up in the Clackamas area, attending Milwaukie HS, then going on to OSU where he studied Forestry. He was drafted into the US Army in 1959 and was stationed at Fort Ord Base in CA. It was there that he met and married Gayle MacKenzie in Santa Cruz, CA. They later divorced but remained lifelong friends. Upon their return to Oregon in 1961, he went to work for his dad, building beautiful homes in the SE Portland area. His love for all things railroad related led him into a 34 year career with Union Pacific Railroad. Robert made hundreds & hundreds of trips along the rails of the beautiful Columbia Gorge Highway. In his spare time, he, and his brother Fred, enjoyed owning and operating their Oregon Certified Tree Farm, selling Christmas trees, firewood and lumber. Robert loved anything historically related to steam trains and logging. His knowledge of the area’s past knew few limits. He greatly enjoyed classical music, photography, bird hunting, fishing and working the land. He had an incredible work ethic and was always quick to lend a helping hand. He was most at peace walking in the forest among the trees he planted, grew and loved so much.

Robert is survived by his son, Lloyd (Kim) Wenzel of Dallas, OR; daughter, Elaine (Steve) Powers of Newport, WA; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and his beloved sister Marlene (George) Fox of Kennewick, WA. He so loved his many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by Gayle Wenzel; his parents, Alfred & Margaret Wenzel and his cherished brother & sister-in-law Fred (Donna) Wenzel.

The family would like to thank the MorningStar of Happy Valley staff for all the exceptional care and love extended to Robert as he bravely battled with Alzheimer’s. We are forever grateful for the ways you went above and beyond to make his life rich, fulfilling and surrounded by love.

Robert is interred at Willamette National Cemetery, Mt. Scott.

Memorial gifts may be given in his honor to Remember Nhu @ www.remembernhu.org or Village Missions @ www.villagemissions.org