Robert "Bob" John Knabe, 94, passed away Wednesday in Salem.
Born in Freedom, Okla., Robert was the son of the late John and Jennie Knabe. The family later moved to Protection, Kansas, where he attended Bluff Creek School and Protection High School, graduating in 1937. Bob was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Force in Australia and the South Pacific.
He married Elsie Schultz in 1945. They moved to Oregon in 1946 and settled in Lebanon. In the early 1950s, they moved to Albany. Bob was an active member of Albany Mennonite Church and later of New Hope Community Church. He worked for Cascade Plywood Mill in Lebanon and in 1956 began working at Northwest Natural Gas, from where he retired in 1980.
Bob's hobby was welding. During his retirement years, he spent many hours in his shop, where he worked with wrought iron. Among the things he made were plant stands, shelves and even a rocking chair. He enjoyed donating plant stands for fund-raising auctions for Western Mennonite School.
Bob and Elsie also loved traveling in their RV, and spent lots of time camping and visiting with their children and grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by Elsie in 2009 and his two brothers, Raymond and Harley.
He is survived by sons Bryce and wife Annetta of Klamath Falls, Darryl and wife Gail of La Pine, and Cleve and wife Gin of Salem; daughter Cheeri Barnhart and husband Will of Rickreall; grandchildren Troy Knabe and wife Staci, Travis Knabe, Lonny Knabe and wife Wende, Gina Umble and husband Jon, Lainie Knabe, Janie Knabe, Eliza Burkholder and husband Chris, Ellie Barnhart, Zack Knabe and Mykah Knabe; nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law John Schultz and wife Dixie; and many nieces and nephews.
Private interment is at Fairview Mennonite Church Cemetery. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Western Mennonite Church in Salem.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements.