Robert Edgar Vencill

In Loving Memory of Bob Vencill Bob was born in North Platte, Nebraska, August 26, 1921. His Parents were cattle ranchers and moved west to escape the harsh Nebraska winters, eventually settling in Williams, Oregon. Bob passed away January 12, 2014 of complications and events culminating from a heart attack following the Oregon Ducks loss to Arizona on November 23 (seriously). He was 92. Bob graduated from secondary school in Williams and graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1940. He was inducted into the Army in 1942 (Bob had an older brother in the Army Air Corp in Europe and a younger brother the Navy in the Southern Pacific). Bob married his sweetheart, Olene Havniear, of Lakeview, Oregon in February 1943. Bob's younger brother Jim married Olene's younger sister Noweta. The Army sent Bob to college for engineering studies. As the war progressed Bob was deployed as an Armorer in the combat infantry. He received the American Theater Service Medal, the European-African-Middle-Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal, a Bronze Star, and an Honorable Discharge in 1946. Bob continued his education following War II and received a Bachelor of Science from Oregon State in 1949. He received a Masters degree from the University of Oregon in 1956. Bob's simultaneously pursued many interests throughout his life. He worked in the lumber industry, as a marine biologist, a primary and secondary public school teacher, an insurance agent, a college instructor and department head, an entrepreneur, an equities broker, and was a life long student. He pursued advanced graduate work and studies during summer teaching breaks. Bob was a voracious reader and enjoyed lively discussion. An avid outdoorsman, Bob (and Olene) conducted many safaris studying the flora, fauna, geology, and anthropology in the Mojave and Anza Borrego Deserts. The weekend safaris were conducted as college field trips, extension classes for the University of California, and for stimulating community and educational interest and often featured well known researchers and guest speakers. Bob was dedicated to his students and the community as well as his family. He assisted hundreds of students in finding summer jobs and career placement after graduation or graduate work. Bob and Olene were a dedicated team. Olene assisted Bob in fulfilling his educational and career goals and they often pursued multiple interests simultaneously. After Olene's and Bob's two children had families of their own, Bob became a private pilot and Bob and Olene explored much of the Southwest United States by air. They created Bolene Enterprises and Bob assisted Olene in her dream of opening a women's clothing store in Victorville, California. They called it the "Dream Shop. Bob had his first 5-way heart bypass surgery in 1979 and retired as Professor Emeritus from Barstow College in 1982. Bob and Olene returned to their beloved and adopted home state of Oregon. Oregon was where they met, married, and enjoyed their earlier years hiking and camping in the mountains, walking the beaches, and boating the rivers. Despite challenges related to his WW II experiences, Bob always enjoyed an active lifestyle. On Bob's 80th birthday he hiked to the top of Grayback Mountain with Lee and his grandson Kory. On his 92nd birthday he made the 104-mile whitewater jet boat trip on the lower Rogue River stubbornly insisting that he walk up the steep and lengthy trail to the café for dinner without transport. Bob was eagerly looking forward to another whitewater boat trip to celebrate his 93rd birthday. In 2008 Olene became disabled. Olene was diagnosed with dementia. Despite Bob's efforts he could not protect or care for her. Although the following 5-years were devastating for both Bob and Olene, Bob held fast to his devotion and love of his wife of 70 years. Bob was vital and lived in his own home and conducted his own affairs. He was very blessed and most appreciative of his good fortune and help and support of his family and friends. Three brothers and one sister preceded Bob in death. He is survived by: his wife Olene of Grants Pass; his sister Sylvia Rexford of Mapleton; his brother Jim Vencill of La Grande; his son Lee Vencill of Grants Pass; his daughter Rita Spangler of Natural Bridge, Virginia; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Service Information

Friday, January 24th, 2014 2:00pm, Eagle Point National Cemetery

Interment Details

Eagle Point National Cemetery