Robert Andrew Deahl's Obituary
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 survived by 3 of his children: Bob Deahl Jr (wife Kerry), Elizabeth James, Ben Deahl; 11 Grandchildren: Laken, Lacey, Cody, Max, Thomas, Redhelle, Robert, Bobby, Kaitlyn, Ariel, Grace; and 2 Great Grandchildren: Callie and Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Mable, sister Devota, brother Arlen, and daughter Barb.
Bob was about three years old when his family decided to move from Minnesota to Sutherland, Oregon. They left Sutherland and moved to St Helens, Oregon when he was starting elementary school. He was always proud to say that his dad owned Harold’s Grocery Store near their home and the McBride Elementary school. He attended the St Helens SDA Church school for his elementary school years and for high school years, he attended Laurelwood and Columbia Adventist academies and did his senior year at St. Helens High School, graduating in 1964.
Bob served in the US Army for 2 years and was stationed at Ft Bliss (El Paso, TX) from 1965-1967.
He married Connie Van Ortwick on January 4, 1966, they were married for 23 years, but always remained friends after separating. Bob married again to Joanne Brady on June 23, 1996, and was with her until her death in 2007. Barb Kawamoto has been by Bob’s side for the last 15+ years.
Asphalt paving was Bob’s passion, he started working with Jim McBride and St Helens Paving right out of High School, he eventually went on to buy St Helens Paving located on Hankey Rd. After a few years there, he moved the business out to Old Portland Rd. to have more room and equipment to do bigger jobs. With dreams of expansion, he teamed up with Dick Backlund and Scott Parker to form “United Asphalt” in Scappoose. After some tuff times in the paving business, Bob got a new job with the Scappoose Drainage District in Scappoose. He was there for nearly 30 years, then retired in 2012. Even retirement couldn’t keep Bob from missing a couple of paving days during the week. He continued working with both ME Moore Construction and Kessi Construction. He was most proud to have 3 generations of asphalt pavers in his family: himself, son Ben and grandson Cody.
He was crazy about basketball, watching it and mostly playing it. He played on several teams here in the St Helens area, and in the late 1960’s played on a team that played against Portland teams and helped win a league championship. He loved watching the Portland Trailblazers with his best friend Barb, but his Favorite team has always been the Boston Celtics and favorite player was Bob Cousy. Bob was always a big baseball fan too, loved going to games and following the Seattle Mariners, but his favorite team has always been the New York Yankees and favorite player was Mickey Mantle. In 2008, the whole family went on a “Baseball Trip” to New York City, Cooperstown, NY, and Boston, MA. They attended two baseball games at the old Yankee Stadium, two days at the Baseball Hall of fame, and one baseball game in Fenway Park, along with seeing the Statue of Liberty, and Empire State building. He had the time of his life, he often talked about that trip and how many memories there were.
Bob always had a sense of humor, sometimes a little odd, but always in a fun way.
A viewing and gravesite service was held on Monday, September 9, 2024
There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 11:00am-2:00pm at the Elks Lodge in St Helens, OR.
please RSVP here https://www.therealdeahlgiftstore.com/bob-deahl-col
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