Robert Louis Zvan

Robert Louis Zvan, 96, of Grants Pass died September 13, 2014 at his home. No services are planned. For online condolences and tributes please visit stephensfc.com. Arrangements by Stephens Family Chapel, Grants Pass, Oregon. Robert Zvan was born April 22, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis and Mary Zvan. At the age of 12, he started "hawking" newspapers on Chicago street corners to help support his mother. He met his future wife Gretchen Hanes at the roller skating rink in White City, Indianapolis. After a brief courtship they eloped on July 5, 1938. They were married for 76 years before her death one month ago, on August 16, 2014. He started working at Amsted Steel Industries in Hammond, Indiana, where his father-in-law worked. He earned a degree in industrial engineering and worked his way up to the chief inspector of the plant before his retirement. He volunteered as a scout master with the Boy Scout organization and mentored many young scouts to the Eagle Scout rank. After retiring in 1974, he and his wife built a retirement cabin along the Elkhart River in Indiana. They traveled across the U.S., Canada and Mexico with their Airstream trailer. Eventually they settled in Apache Junction, Arizona where they lived for 28 years. In March 2011, they moved to Spring Meadow Retirement Community in Grants Pass to be near their daughter. They enjoyed activities at The Springs and for several years enjoyed morning walks across the pedestrian bridge over the Rogue River. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Zvan of Brookings and Grants Pass, and a grandson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Besides his wife Gretchen, his son Garry Zvan preceded him in death in 1997.