Robert Elgin Glaves Sr. (Bob) was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 22, 1936 to Elgin and Opal Glaves. Bob graduated from Santa Barbara High School (CA) in 1953, joined the US Marines in 1954, and served as a Rifle Instructor and Marksman until 1957. On July 22, 1956, Bob married the love of his life, Joanne Fernandez in Santa Barbara, CA.
On June 6, 1956, off the coast of Goleta, CA, Bob used his lifeguard training skills and earned the Carnegie hero Medal for his contribution in saving the life of William A. Adams Jr. in the Pacific Ocean.
Between 1957-1969, in his desire to provide for his family, he became diversified learning the trades of Tree Topping and Brick Laying, using those skills in California, and continued these skills after relocating to Southern Oregon. Topping Date Palms in Santa Barbara and Fir Oak trees in Southern Oregon were some of the highlights of his climbing career. Bob built numerous fireplaces and foundations in California and Oregon. The highlight of his hired bricklaying career being the building of the Oregon Health and Science University Hospital in Portland. During this time, Bob and Joanne experienced financial hardships which led to their development of BJ Dairy (Bob and Joanne Dairy) with its beginnings in Rogue River, Oregon.
Bob and Joanne ran BJ Dairy in Rogue River from 1969-1978. After 10 years of success in the dairy business, Bob and Joanne decided to sell the dairy and move to Eastern Oregon. Bob then began Glaves Masonry, teaming up with his brother, Firman Glaves. From 1984-1989, Bob worked as a Professional Trapper in South-Central Oregon, and from 1989-2005 ran an owner-operator trucking business until he retired.
Bob was an active member of PITA (Pacific International Trap Shooting Association) and was a very successful trap shooter. Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing, and especially enjoyed these activities with his family and friends.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Joanne of 56 years, his 5 children and their spouses as well as 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Bob will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.
A memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 11AM at the Prineville Funeral Home 199 NE 10th St, followed by a reception at the Queens Garden Club House (look for the red building on the left as you enter the park) 185 N Harwood Ave. in Prineville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Band of Brothers Honor Guard 199 NE 10th St Prineville, Oregon 97754 (Prineville Funeral Home will send all donations directly to the Band of Brothers Honor Guard).
Please visit www.PrinevilleFuneralHome.com to share your memories or express your condolences by signing the on-line Guest Book.
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