Nov. 24, 1921- May 11, 2012
Bob was born in Sweet Home, Oregon, the oldest of seven children. The family was in the logging business there.
At age 19, he joined the Air Corp., which later became the Air Force during WWII. He was a tech sergeant from 1939 to 1944. After his military service, he worked on lookouts for the Forest Service.
Bob graduated from OSU with a bachelor of science degree in Pharmacy, and started his career working at McClains Drug Store in Grants Pass. He married Hallie Massie of Grants Pass, and they adopted two children in 1955, David and Diane. The family moved to Bend in 1958, and Bob purchased The Owl Pharmacy on the corner of Wall and Minnesota, later purchasing The 88¢ Store next door, to expand the pharmacy.
Bob was heavily involved in the Bend community - he was on the organizing committee for Bend\u2019s annual Water Pageant, and once fell off the scaffolding of a float into the river along with one of the local physicians. He helped Jack Wetle and Bill Healy, build a short-lived ski jump on Pilot Butte. He was long-time member of the Rotary Club, Skyliners, a Mt. Bachelor ski patrol volunteer, a city commissioner, and was on the Board of Parks & Rec. Dept. with Vince Genna.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman. The family would spend weekends out on the desert, hunting arrowheads, and rockhounding. He also enjoyed skiing, fishing, and spending time in the Steens Mtns. Bob and fellow rockhounder, Art Kohfield, found the largest juniper tree recorded in the state of Oregon.
After selling the pharmacy and retiring, Bob and Hallie moved to Grants Pass and opened Grants Pass Rock Shop where they made and sold jewelry.
After seven years, he moved back to Bend and volunteered at the newly-opened High Desert Museum. He was the first to receive the Museum\u2019s Volunteer Of The Year Award. He rehabilitated and trained injured birds of prey to perform for educational purposes. Eventually he was hired as the resident caretaker.
He had a special way with animals and people. He lived a long and exciting life, passing away at the age of 90.
Bob is survived by brother, Bill Gabriel of Gates, OR; sister, Beverly Dull of Arlington, Texas; his children, Dave (wife, Sherri) of Bend, OR, and Diane Wright of Omaha, NE; and two grandchildren, Tara and Cameron of Bend.
At his request, no services will be held. Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. 541-382-2471.
Robert "Bob" W. Gabriel
