Robert B. Bartges

SALEM - Beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a loyal friend to many. Robert Bernard Bartges was born August 16, 1923 and died on Thursday, January 5, 2012 after recently being diagnosed with lymphoma. He was 88.

Bob lived life with a great interest in other people. Bob's faith directed his life and deepened his love and care for others. He had a great love for the outdoors and shared that with his family, as well as those across several generations who shared the same interests. Bob's influence encouraged us to take time to enjoy the hidden beauties in the outdoors; the flowers blooming, and the things to be noticed along a mountain path. His generosity with his time, and his keen interest in sharing everything he enjoyed with family and friends, will be sorely missed.

Bob was born in Salem and graduated from Salem High School. He enlisted in the army and served in World War II in New Guinea, the Philippine's and Japan. After returning from the war, he married Edna Collins. They were married 52 years, until her death in 1998. He worked over 35 years for the Oregon State Highway Department (now ODOT).

Later Bob married Mariann Bither, whom he had known since childhood. He moved to Tigard where he and Mariann together enjoyed the last 13 years of his life. Bob counted many people he met those last years in the Portland area as special friends.

Bob loved music, which he shared singing with Edna and his family and friends. He often played the violin, piano, or autoharp when he sang. He wrote songs and poems specifically about different experiences he had. He loved to give people nicknames, which would often depict something they liked to do, or some characteristic about them. He had some nicknames for himself, including "Cold River Bob" and "The Bald Eagle."

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Warren & Nettie Bartges, his sisters Velma Bartges and Vivian Nichols; brother Warren (Gene) Bartges. He is survived by his wife, Mariann (Bither) Bartges; his daughter's Deborah Mosman (Rod) and Caroline Gillaspy (Jerry); stepson's Scott Bither (Dore) and Randy Bither (Karla), 10 grandchildren: Marya Davies, Derick, Rory, & Ramey Mosman, Libby, Nettie, & Amy Gillaspy, Annie Munger, Malia Miller, Kyra Ziniker, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will beld Friday, January 13, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Funeral Home. Services will be held at the Keizer Community Center on Saturday, January 14 at 10:30 a.m. A potluck will follow, with a graveside service at 2:30 p.m. at Belcrest Memorial Park. Online condolences at www.hed-fh.com.