Birth date: Jul 7, 1946 Death date: Aug 30, 2024
Robert Andrew Deahl of St Helens, Oregon passed away at his home on August 30, 2024, at the age of 78. He was born on July 7, 1946 in Otter Tail County Minnesota and lived on a farm on the shores of Dead lake, Minnesota. Bob is su Read Obituary
Joanne Eisenzimmer lit a candle in memory of Robert Deahl
I got a call today from a long ago friend/family member, whom I lost touch with family but would come across family members here and there, I was shocked to hear about Bob, We had no idea Bob was sick! Bob will be missed in many ways but will not be forgotten, Our wishes go to the entire family and friends.
Will & Cetta Alloway
Tyra Hutton lit a candle in memory of Robert Deahl
Bryan Turner lit a candle in memory of Robert Deahl
I met Bob in1982 when we first moved into a mobile home, I had placed it near the levee which got his attention, since the levee was his baby for most of his work life. Bob was the General Manager of Scappoose Drainage Improvement Company (SDIC) for about 30 years until he retired in 2012. SDIC, includes the 10-mile-long levee along Multnomah Channel, initially built in 1925, a dozen pumps, and many miles of drainage ditches that protects about 5,700 acres from annual flooding including the last 100-year flood in1996. SDIC protects a big part of the City of Scappoose, 900 landowners (including about 600 homes).
In 2002 I volunteered to be on the SDIC board and continued until 2021. In all those years we worked together I always knew Bob’s priority was the safe and efficient operation of the SDIC and he took the responsibility very seriously. Since he retired Bob continued to be a resource of historical knowledge when needed by the current Board & management. Bob will be missed
Bob and I met 60 years ago at St. Helens High in Algebra II class. We went together for two years. When he was drafted into the US Army we decided to get married even though I still had a half year left in my senior year. That was frowned on by parents and faculty. No stopping that plan. For the next 23 years we shared real good times and really bad times. After our divorce we were still brought together with our 4 kids. The most wonderful time was our first grandbaby, Bobby, the third, and the loss of our beautiful daughter were just three weeks apart. A hard time for the whole family. Since then neither of us was willing to miss any family event so we still saw each other many times at birthdays, dance recitals, weddings, births. Bob enjoyed driving me crazy. We had a like/no like relationship for many years. This last year, watching his painful journey with the cancer was very difficult. I saw him pretty often and each time he was declining. I admired the fight that he put up. He didn't want to be sick. He had too much to live for. The last two weeks were so difficult. He said, I'm ready to go. He didn't want to live like that. We certainly had our differences but I had the greatest respect for how hard Bob worked and the love and generosity he had for his kids, grandkids and now great grandkids. I'm not sure that anyone knows for sure just what our life after death will be but I know how I hope it will be. I hope Bob is with our daughter and all the other loved ones that have gone before him. And I'm sure he is walking those streets that aren't asphalt but, streets of gold. Waiting for the rest of us "Deahls".
Even though I was just the kid down the street, Bob played a major role in my childhood. I have vivid memories of riding my bike to his house so I could watch John Wayne movies with him. No matter what my interests were at the time, he always made an effort to foster those interests as if I was his own son. Whether it was woodworking projects at his shop, letting me walk the dyke with him during one of his ‘loops’, or learning about the history of our country through Ken Burns Documentaries, he never missed an opportunity to share the things he was passionate about with me.
The memories I have of Bob span back 20 years, and without them, I would not have developed into the man I am today. Although learning of his passing is saddening, I will do my part to ensure these memories live on well into the future.
I only knew Bob a few years but he was a great family friend. Bob was friends and worked with my husband Ron Elmore for many years. They paved all over Columbia County and yes when driving past a driveway or an approach they would say we paved that! It’s in our blood! Bob was 1 day younger than Ron and he love to remind Ron every July 6th Bob “The Candy Man” was enjoyed by all the grandkids not only for the Werthers lol but because he was nice to them and he would look for them to give them his candy, they would always know when he was over cuz he would leave candy for them even if they weren’t here. Bob thanks for being our family’s friend.
