Robert Bruce Emerson

Robert “Bob” B. Emerson, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2015. Bob was born in Kimberly, Idaho, July 2, 1923, the son of Carl and Edna Emerson. While attending Kimberly High School (class of 1941), Bob developed a talent for boxing, and went on to win the Golden Gloves tournament to become Idaho State Champion. His boxing career was cut short with the onset of WWII. A decorated veteran, he joined the U.S. 10th Mountain Division, and earned a Bronze Star Medal for heroic action in the Italian Apennine Mountains. After the war, he received his degree in Pharmacy from Idaho State University, then moved to Portland, OR. An entrepreneur at heart, he owned and operated 3 retail stores: Colonial Drug Store, Menlo Park Pharmacy and The Paper Tiger. His involvement with First Presbyterian Church in downtown Portland led him to his wife of 60 years, the former Roberta Koster of Idaho Falls, Idaho. He spent the rest of his life in Portland, though he always considered Idaho his home.

Bob had many passions for the things life had to offer him. His hobbies included rock hunting, which led to cutting and polishing stones, jewelry making and silver smithing. He loved painting, which included extensive research on NW painters and sculptors of the WPA era. He belonged to the Oregon Historical Society, and became a researcher of Native American History and the early homesteaders of Oregon. This passion formed the basis for writing, and his published historical fiction book, Back To The High Desert. Lastly, he was very involved in the NW Chapter of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, serving as Treasurer, whose purpose exists to preserve and enhance the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division for future generations both in the United States and in the small towns of the Italian Apennines.

He was preceded in death by his sister Barbara (Emerson) Hall of Seattle, WA. He is survived by his wife, Roberta; their four children, Ann (Emerson) Gray; Bruce Emerson (wife Kathy); Joan (Emerson) White (husband Timothy); Christopher Emerson (wife Stacy); nine grandchildren; Mark Gray; Liza Gray; Melissa Emerson; Douglas Emerson; Halie White; Robert White; Hanna Emerson; Grace Emerson; Chuck Emerson and his sister Alice (Emerson) Nelson of Honolulu, HI.

Internment will be at Willamette National Cemetery, and a Memorial will be held at Moreland Presbyterian Church on July 2, 2015, with a time to be announced.

Arrangements under the direction of Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home, Portland, OR.