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 Albert Ackerman III passed away peacefully at his home in Hood River, Ore., surrounded by his loving family, after a two year battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.
Rob was born on Nov. 29, 1949, in Hammond, Ind. His childhood years were spent in Michigan. There, he enjoyed spending time with his family at their cabin on Lake Michigan. He loved working with his dad on his Ford Thunderbirds, and he also competed as an avid swimmer.
Upon graduating high school, he attended Indiana University, Perdue University, Ohio University and graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. While living in Virginia Beach, Rob worked for the Navy Corps of Engineers on the power supply to submarines and aircraft carriers in Norfolk, Va. He also met his future wife, Blue, at a local natural foods co-op where she worked. At first, he came to buy brown rice, but as they began to get to know each other, they began to go for walks on the beach and at Seashore State Park. They fell in love and were married on March 20, 1982.
Rob and Blue raised their children, Chelsea, John and Tanah, a block away from the sands of Virginia Beach, where Rob was able to share his love for the ocean and surfing with his children. The family moved to Oregon in 1989, where Rob worked for Western Power Products. They bought a home in Hood River and had three more children: Emily, Isaac and Jacob.
In recent years, Rob’s hobbies included riding motorcycles with his sons, woodworking, home renovations and spending time at the river with his dog, Elwood. For the past 18 years, he worked for Bonneville Power. He was known as an “engineer’s engineer” and was very well respected by his co-workers and supervisors.
Rob is survived by his wife, Blue Ackerman; youngest son, Jacob Ackerman; youngest daughter, Emily Sonderegger; daughter, Tanah Clunes-Ross; son, John Stewart; daughter, Chelsea Tactay; sister, Ann D. Ackerman of Virginia; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Issac Ackerman, who passed away in 2012.
Services for Rob will be private. His remains will be interred at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
To plant a tree in memory of Robert Ackerman, III as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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