Robert Bob J. Boss

Bob was born on February 28, 1937 in Portland, Oregon to parents, Abraham Boss and Martha (Andreen) Boss. He grew up in the Kenton neighborhood from birth to adulthood. The house he lived in with his parents was located in the center of what is now Kenton Park. Rather than demolishing the house, it was moved two city blocks to it’s current location on Kilpatrick Street. Bob attended Kenton Elementary School and later graduated from Jefferson High School in 1954. Bob went on to attend Portland State University. He was the first person to graduate with a degree in Economics from Portland State.

In 1962, Bob met Wilma Eileen Sauter whom he married. Bob and Wilma shared a loving marriage for over 48 years. They began their life together in a home in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland. Bob’s job later transferred them to Springfield, Ohio. In November 1965, they welcomed their son Joseph “Joey” Boss into their lives. Homesick for Oregon, Bob and Wilma were transferred back to Oregon shortly thereafter. In April 1970, they welcomed their daughter Barbara (Boss) Wright into the family. After living in the neighborhood of East Moreland in Portland for a short time, Bob and Wilma bought a house in North Portland where they resided for over 40 years. Bob continued to live in the same house until his home going.

Bob was in purchasing in the early years of his career at a few places. But he found his calling in manufacturing while working for Bingham Willamette, a large pump company that helped produce the Alaskan pipeline. Soon Bob became the Plant Manufacturing Manager, then he moved into the role of Vice President of Manufacturing. Bob spent about 11 years Bingham Willamette. He left Bingham to work with an old friend at a smaller pump company that made small irrigation and food processing pumps. Bob held a few titles there, sales application engineer, inside sales. But manufacturing was his love. Bob tried to retire a couple times, going back as a consultant mostly. But in 2011 he decided it was time to hang it up and focus on his wife and family.

In his spare time, you would find Bob on the banks of the Lewis River or Toutle River in Washington state every Saturday doing what he loved – fishing! Bob would be up at four in the morning so that he could be on the river before daybreak. There was a never-ending supply of salmon and steelhead in the Boss house. He would often take his son on his fishing excursions. And when trout season opened, he would take his daughter to Horseshoe Lake in Woodland, Washington to fish.

Bob also enjoyed playing golf. A game that he eventually got the entire family to play – a perfect foursome of Bob, Wilma, Joe and Barbara. You could find Bob and his family every Sunday afternoon at Delta Park Golf Course (now known as Heron Lakes) for a round of golf. The family played there so frequently, that tee times were often not necessary. The family would show up and the pro shop would find time for them to play. Family vacations were often planned around regional golf courses like Rippling River near Mt. Hood and Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon. Both Bob and Wilma played in a weekly golf league for a number of years.

Bob was an avid sports fan. Both Bob and Wilma frequently attended Buckaroo and Winter Hawk hockey games. Bob spent many evenings watching his beloved Portland Trail Blazers on TV. Calling his son frequently throughout the game to express his enjoyment when the Blazers were winning, frustration with bad officiating and disappointment if the team lost.

After Wilma’s home going in September 2012, Bob became even closer to his children and grandchildren. Going to Tuesday night dinners with his son Joe and grandchildren and Friday night dinners with Barbara and his son-in-law William. Dad met Barbara for lunch every Thursday so that he could have his favorite - pan fried oysters. These are cherished times spent with our Dad. We have the comfort of knowing that Dad loved each and every one of us. Dad was a true blessing to all who knew him. The Lord has received Dad and he is now back together again with Mom. Although we miss Dad, we know that he is in heaven and we will see him again one day.

Bob is survived by his son Joe Boss of Portland, OR; his daughter and son-in-law Barbara and William Wright of Woodburn, OR; his grandchildren Schuyler and Philip Boss and his great-granddaughter Aubriella Ava of Portland, OR. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Boss; his mother, Martha Boss and his father, Abraham Boss.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 1:00p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 11801 SE Mt. Scott Blvd.Portland, OR 97086.