Robert Anderson

April 27, 1949-September 11, 2022

Robert died unexpectedly on his farm on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

Robert was born In Toledo, Oregon to Fred and Betty Jean Anderson. He was one of four children.

He went to school in Toledo and was active in wrestling and competitive diving.

Throughout his childhood he experienced many types of “careers” such as a paper route, picking up bottles, picking berries, beans, traveling to logging jobs with his uncle and cousins, and learning the skills of welding and fabricating. He learned how to repair and improve things through time spent with his father and grandfather.

He enjoyed beach combing with his mother and sisters always looking for agates, seashells and glass floats when it was stormy. He loved his childhood dog “Cookie” He loved all animals and he said that he always had a stray pet like a squirrel, a raccoon, a turtle, a pigeon, a turkey buzzard (Charlie), etc. He always managed to smuggle some type of creature home. He spent many summers with his aunt, Uncle, cousins and grandparents in Molalla. It is here that he learned about ‘farm life” and logging. He loved hunting and fishing with family and just spending time around a campfire exchanging stories.

While he finished high school, he moved to the Keizer area and started working for Keizer builders. He then went to work for Kilgore Blackman lumber yard It is here that he began fixing equipment and then working out of his garage on Baxter Road in South Salem. This is how he started his career as a mechanic. He worked out of his one car garage for a few years fixing cars while still working at Kilgore Blackman. He worked nights at what was Shakey’s Pizza parlor to make ends meet and provide for his family.

Ultimately his sister Linda and brother-in-law Glen would move to Salem from Idaho and A.J.’s auto repair would begin. They rented a building and started in a shop behind the current A.J.’s Auto repair on 13th Street in Salem Oregon. Through that humble beginning they worked long hours and developed fleet account relationships with Thomas distributing and 7up bottling. From there the honesty and integrity they displayed brought customers and their families to have their vehicle repaired.

Throughout his tenure in the automotive industry Robert was actively working on initiatives that were way ahead of their time in the 1990’s. This call to action would minimize the impact that auto repair would have on the environment. A.J.’s auto repair would be honored with the first toxic use waste reduction certificate by the Governor’s office, and they would eventually become the first Earthwise certified automotive shop in the state. He would then share that knowledge and help other small business owners do the same.

Robert was identified in one of the issues of the Founders of the New Northwest. He was active in the Automotive Service Association, the Northwest Auto trade association as their Board chair, the Citizen advisory board for the Department of environmental quality, The Marion County Solid Waste Advisory Committee, The Tech net Program and he raised awareness for responsibility in the automotive industry to reduce the hazardous by-products involved in the trade. He testified at the Legislature on bills that would have effects on the Automotive industry and the “Right to repair”.

Robert was proud that he, Glen and all the employees at A.J.s make protecting the environment a collective team effort. They participated in the program every step of the way.

In support of the community need, Robert and Glen and their team also put together the Wheels and Wishes program that would gift donated vehicles that they had repaired to deserving “transportation challenged “individuals. It would give them the opportunity to gain a much-needed vehicle for employment or to get their family to medical appointments.

Robert ‘s journey would eventually take him from the suburbs of Salem to the coast range in Dallas Oregon. He would purchase a small farm and vineyard with his wife Cheryl. He would “tool up” the farm with heavy equipment and work on forest management and vineyard management. He would partner with his wife and adopt a diverse group of animals and allow other stray animals to join the family if they needed rescue. He loved working on the property and making certain the pinot noir grapes were doing well and would make great wine. He had learned so much from Forrest Klaffke a former wine master and continued using the practices over the next 20 years,

At the end of his day no matter what time it was, he looked forward to a nap with his faithful golden retrievers Shyloh and Shasta.

If you ask anyone what they know about Robert, Rob, Bob, or Bobby, they will tell you that he never met a stranger. He had a quick smile, a kind heart, and he would do anything to help a part of his family, a friend, a new neighbor. His life was not perfect, there were challenges and struggles and disappointments, but he accepted it and moved forward. He woke up every day with a smile and a positive attitude. He gave encouragement and guidance to many. He was thoughtful, loving, and would Pay it forward by helping even perfect strangers if he could. (But as I said he never met a stranger!).

He loved to live on the edge and went skydiving, bungee jumping, and ziplining, He loved riding his Harley and his Indian motorcycle. He would go on long rides with Glen his brother-in-law and his cousin from Alaska.

He loved history and educating himself on new things. Visiting mines, historical landmarks on his rides.

Robert’s legacy is his family and most notably his children.

He was so proud of the individuals that they had become and the successes that they have had in their own lives.

Robert is predeceased by his mother and father, Fred and Betty jean Anderson.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl. His sons: Larry, Troy (Lori). Daughters: Tammie (Barry) and Sheri (Glen). Sisters: Linda (Glen), Peggy (Tony), Mary (Dale).

Nine grandchildren and many nieces, nephews who loved their Uncle Buzzy.

Robert left us too soon. He will leave with us that little nugget of “wisdom” that he liked to share. And those of us that knew him well called them “Bobism’s”

We love you, Robert! We will send you off on your next motorcycle journey with love and will carry you with us each day in our hearts.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.