Robert Bob W Maas

Robert W Maas was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. Bob always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Bob was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Bob was born on March 15, 1928 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Portland, OR. His parents were George and Ida Maas. Bob was raised in Portland. Always able to express himself well, Bob possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Bob was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Bob was able to relate well with others. Bob was raised with one sister, Shirley. Bob had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Bob showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Bob enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in fishing, bowling, and race car driving. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. In his spare time he liked hiking and camping. Bob's memorable achievements included becoming an Eagle Scout.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Bob was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Benson High School in 1946. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite classes in high school were math and woodworking.

Friends and acquaintances found Bob an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Bob was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were Dale Andersen and Bob Higgenbotham. Later in life, he became friends with Maury Bush, Marty Tharp, Virgil Sellars, Don McLemore, and he remained eternal friends with Dale Andersen.

On January 27, 1951 Bob exchanged wedding vows with Virginia Alvira Rappe at the Vernon Presbyterian Church of Portland, Oregon. Bob was attentive to Virginia's feelings, and he charmed Virginia and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Bob was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

Very much like a kid himself, Bob identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Bob was blessed with three children, two sons, Rob and Greg, and one daughter, Pam. He was also blessed with six grandchildren, Cory, Jordy, Cody, Zach, Mary, and Kalyn.

Bob was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Bob’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Bob could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was in the automotive industry and as a real estate investor. He was employed for 25 years by Ford Motor Company.

Bob was a Navy veteran. He served from January 1946 to December 1947. Bob was a cool thinker who could handle himself well in a crisis. He served in various parts of the world. He achieved the rank of Fireman First Class. He received several awards including a Victory Medal during WWII. He showed leadership qualities and could make tough decisions when he was called upon to do so.

Bob enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were gardening, bowling, fishing, water skiing, and traveling.

Because he liked to take risks, Bob was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Recreational sports included bowling, coaching baseball, water skiing and fishing. Bob was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were soccer, football, baseball, and basketball, especially the Portland Trail Blazers.

Bob was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made him a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which he belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Bob worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout his later years, Bob was an active member of the Oregon Dahlia Club.

Bob held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He was a member of the Tigard Christian Church for 20 years.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Bob truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included cruises to Hawaii, Europe, Africa, Alaska, and Jamaica.

Bob was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. Bob owned collies throughout his life.

When Bob’s retirement finally came in 2010, he was well prepared. He used logical analysis of his retirement options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. His new life involved relocating to Beaverton, Oregon. In retirement, he found new pleasure in gardening and city and county affairs.

Bob passed away on May 25, 2010 in his home in Beaverton. Bob succumbed to the effects of a subdermal hematoma. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; children, Pam, Rob, and Greg; and grandchildren, Cory, Jordy, Mary, Kalyn, Cody, and Zach. A funeral service will be held at 1PM, Sunday, May 30, 2010 in Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Bob will be laid to rest in Lincoln Memorial Park in a private graveside ceremony.

Bob was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Bob had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Robert W Maas.