Robert Loren Gotham

Robert Loren Gotham passed away peacefully at his home in Vancouver, Washington, on December 13, 2023, after fighting a long battle with lung cancer, heart disease, and dementia. He was with his closest family. Bob was born in Portland, Oregon, on October 25, 1947, to parents Loren and Virginia. His only brother, William (Bill), predeceased him by several decades, passing away in 1995. Bob grew up in Lake Grove, Oregon (later known as the City of Lake Oswego), graduating from Lake Oswego High School in 1965. While there he excelled in music, playing first chair at trumpet.

Soon thereafter, a friend of his father encouraged Bob to join an electrical apprenticeship program, and so began his lifelong devotion to the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 48 union and to NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association). He completed his apprenticeship in 1973, moving on to work as a journeyman electrician, foreman, signing supervisor, City of Portland electrical inspector, and finally as an electrical contractor, owning and operating Rose City Electric between 1982 - 2003. He retired in 2004. His family wishes to thank all of those who worked for and with Bob during these years, along with his many customers and industry contacts, as he could not have succeeded without them.

His professional accomplishments included: holding Oregon general supervising electrician and inspector licenses, Washington state master electrician and administrator licenses, serving on the Portland area electrical JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee) for 15+ years, one term as President of the local NECA chapter in the early 1990s, 8 years on the Oregon State Electrical Board, including as its Chairman, by appointment of the governor of Oregon 1988 - 1995, and winner of the Coggeshall Award in 2005, a national recognition conferred by NECA “for outstanding contribution to technical and training progress in the electrical contracting industry.” An authority on the National Electrical Code (NEC) and fire safety, he was most proud of his time serving 2 cycles over 6 years on the code-making committee of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

A private man in his personal life, Bob enjoyed water and snow skiing, as well as a lifetime of boating on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. He was pleased to be a life member of his Masonic Lodge, and the principles of Freemasonry were important to him. He was privileged to be able to travel extensively both before and after retirement, seeing all 7 continents and visiting 40+ countries. Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth, as well as his son Geoffrey. Disposition was by cremation, and at his request there was no formal service. Bob loved and cared for animals throughout his life, especially cats. His family kindly suggests that any remembrances or donations in his name be made to the Southwest Washington Humane Society.