Robert "Bob" Max Stayton

March 24, 1943-February 19th, 2024

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” –John Muir

Robert “Bob” Stayton passed away peacefully of natural causes at his beloved Laurelhurst home in Portland on Monday, February 19th.

Bob grew up in NE Portland, the first child of Max and Mae Stayton, and the eldest of four siblings. He attended Kennedy School and graduated from Grant High School in 1961. He was active in the YMCA Indian Guides, attending Camp Collins and Camp Meehan. As a teen he was a Camp Counselor at Camp Meehan at Sprit Lake from 1961-1964. After high school, he attended Portland State, graduating in 1967 with a BS in Social Sciences.

Bob was drafted after graduation into the Army serving at Fort Knox, KY. He married Nelly Albrecht in 1965 and began a family with Erick born in 1969 while serving in Kentucky. On his release from the service, he moved his family back to Portland and began a long tenure at ESCO Corp., spending most of his career as the Rigging Products Manager. He was also a part of the ESCO Activities Committee. Bob built a strong network of friends and colleagues both at ESCO Corp. and in the rigging industry. During this time his family grew to include Corey born in 1972 and Kristoffer born in 1980.

Bob passed on his love of community and the outdoors to his sons by involving them in YMCA programs as campers at Camp Collins and in the Indian Guides. Bob would also continue his commitment to Camp Meehan during this time volunteering there and often taking his family with him to this cherished place at Spirit Lake. He took his family camping and hiking around Oregon imparting a respect and admiration for nature and the outdoors. Bob coached his son’s youth soccer teams as well. He retired from ESCO in 2008. In his retirement he enjoyed fishing, hiking, reading, following sports car racing and spending time with friends and family.

The three most important facets of Bob’s life were connecting with family and friends, volunteering and serving others, and engaging with the outdoors. Bob was dedicated to building friendships and hosting family functions. His network of friends grew from his gregarious and outgoing nature. He loved his family, gathering them together for holidays and birthdays and treating them to big hugs and great food.

Volunteering was incredibly important to Bob. He served for many years on the Camp Collins Advisory Board as Chair and received commendations for his service, among them a plaque in the hall of fame. His relationship with the YMCA continued from age 8 till his passing. Bob felt that overnight camping programs helped him form a love of nature and the outdoors and wanted young people to have that opportunity. He was also active on the Grant Alumni Committee and served as its president for many years. His love of fishing, hiking and camping was strong. He was a member of Mazama’s, volunteering as Mazama Lodge Committee Chair. He loved trekking around Pacific NW trails. He climbed many peaks in his life including Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier.

Bob’s passing leaves a tremendous space for all those who knew him. He recognized the common humanity that bonded people together despite their differences and used that understanding to build a robust community of family, friends, co-workers, and peers. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Bob is survived by his sister, Barbara Stayton of Tigard; three sons; Erick (Thea), Corey (Sophie), and Kris, all of Portland; and grandchildren Skyeler, Zoie, and Seth. He is preceded in death by his parents Mae and Max Stayton; sisters Marti Stayton and Joyce Stayton; and by his wife of 55 years Nelly Stayton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bob’s memory to the YMCA of Columbia Willamette Camp Collins, (See donation info below).

A celebration of life will be held in late spring in order to allow for family and friends to travel. Invitations will be sent to notify friends and family of the celebration specifics. For questions please email [email protected].

YMCA Donation information:

Link to the donation page for the YMCA and Camp Collins:

Be sure to check the box “Dedicate this donation” to get to the pop up boxes then choose “In Memory of” and type in “Bob Stayton”.

https://operations.daxko.com/online/5155/OnlineGiving/Donation.mvc

For Checks:

Write “Bob Stayton” in the memo box on the check and mail it to:

Willard Burks

YMCA of Columbia Willamette

9500 SW Barbur Blvd, Suite 200

Portland, OR 97219