Bob Dewey Gilson

For a man who preferred little fuss, a few vices and a simple life, Bob Dewey Gilson, 69, left this world in much the way he lived in it. He passed away at his daughter’s home in the comfort of an overstuffed recliner and surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022; a pack of cigarettes and bottle of orange juice within reach.

Bob was born in Portland, Oregon on December 2nd, 1952, the second son of Eldon and Willa Gilson and was followed out of the womb soon after by his twin brother Bill.

When Bob was two the family moved from the St. John’s area to Lyons; to the rivers and woods that would come to shape Bob’s life so deeply. He spent many hours of his childhood exploring, hunting and fishing in the Santiam Canyon along with his brothers, cousins and friends.

In 1971, after graduating from Stayton High School, Bob joined the Navy and served as a Torpedoman’s Mate, 3rd Class. He served for three years, nine months and traveled all over the globe from the Philippines to Japan, as well as spending a great deal of time in Florida and San Diego. When he left the Navy he returned to Oregon to study civil engineering. Bob worked for many years pulling green chain in Lyons’ mills before moving onto surveying, which he did for the majority of his working life, both for the Bureau of Land Management and Yamhill County.

While the outdoors and fishing were his passions, his real love were his children: Jason, Chris, Tara and Andrea. Later when his many grandchildren came along, thirteen in all, he took great pride in them as well.

Bob will forever be remembered for his good humor, goofy antics, voracious reading, many fish tales, love of cribbage and generous nature.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Eldon and Willa Gilson of Stayton, as well as his older brother John Gilson of Salem. He is survived by his brothers Bill (Patti) Gilson of Stayton and Larry Gilson of Livingston, Texas; his sister Elizabeth (Steve) Baldwin of Stayton; his sons Jason Gilson of Orlando, Florida and Chris (Mary) Gilson of New Meadows, Idaho; his daughters Tara (Benjamin) Fraga of Gresham and Andrea (Eric) Hartmann of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; as well as thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Donations in Bob’s honor can be made to Tanner Project, an organization that helps house veterans, at 2933 Center St NE Salem, OR 97301.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd at Stayton Christian Church, 189 East Washington St., Stayton, Oregon.