Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Robert A. (Bob) Stevenson, Jr., a longtime resident of Dufur, died Saturday, March 29 at the Oregon Veteran’s facility in The Dalles. He was 78.
Bob was born July 12, 1935 in York, Pennsylvania to Robert A. and Margaret Stevenson. He was raised in York, and graduated from high school there before entering the U.S. Navy.
While in the Navy he met and married his first wife, Betty (they later divorced), and they moved back to York before moving to Oregon in the early 1960’s. They lived briefly in The Dalles until moving to Dufur, where he lived for the rest of his life.
In the early 1970’s, Bob met and married Joyce, who preceded him in death in 1989. He then later married his longtime friend and neighbor Marge Stevenson, and while they later divorced, they remained good friends and she survives him in Dufur.
Bob worked in the construction industry for most of his adult life, working on road and infrastructure projects throughout the Pacific Northwest and was a proud member of the Laborer’s Union. In his younger years he also supported his family trapping wildlife in the area.
Bob enjoyed many things, including spending time with his large family, riding through the countryside in his pickup (there is not a road in the Mid-Columbia that he did not travel on at one point), supporting Dufur High School athleteic teams, gardening (he and Joyce were known for their huge vegetable gardens), hunting, trapping, taking gambling adventures, and tinkering in his shop. Most of all, Bob enjoyed visiting with his “Dufur family.”
Bob is survived by his children and their spouses: Dani Gellatly (Brian), Vancouver, WA; Michael Stevenson (Angie), Blaine, WA.; Ginger Denham (Bert), Elk, WA.; and Tom Stevenson, Portland. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren; numerous stepchildren and step grandchildren; a brother, Pat Stevenson and a sister, Tut, both in Pennsylvania; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home chapel, followed immediately by a special “Taco Bar” celebration at the Dufur Pastime.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bob Stevenson Athletic Scholarship Fund in care of Dufur High School, 802 N.E. Fifth, Dufur, OR 97021. Because Bob was such an avid fan of Dufur athletics for over 50 years, the scholarship will be awarded to a deserving Dufur High School student athlete.
Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Robert Stevenson as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
