Robert Lewis Larson August 21, 1922 to February 12, 2015

Robert (Bob) L. Larson passed away February 12 at the age of 92. Bob was born in Jamestown, North Dakota on August 21, 1922, to Gilbert and Bernice Larson who owned a grocery store-restaurant in Sarles, ND. The family moved to the Los Angeles area when Bob was 8 years old. He told his family that Boy Scouting, the Lutheran Youth League and singing in the Los Angeles Boys Choir greatly influenced his youth. He also sang solo in the choir's weekly radio show, sang for Hollywood events and in films.

Bob wanted to become a forester at a young age.

In 1941, he enrolled in the School of Forestry at Oregon State University.

He joined the Navy in 1942 and served more than three years as a gunner in the Armed Guard, aboard a merchant ship that traveled the South Seas.

After the war, he returned to college and graduated with a BS in forestry in 1948.

His first job was in the Ochoco National Forest in Prineville, and shortly afterwards was posted in Powers, Oregon, with the Forest Service.

His future wife, Edith (Eddy) Schifferer completed her degree at Oregon State University the following year, and they were married on July 1, 1949.

Eddy joined him in the coastal town of Powers, and they began a wonderful and fruitful marriage that would last 59 years.

Bob's forestry career spanned 45 years and included timber cruising and consulting for private companies. He was the assistant manager for Georgia Pacific's largest West Coast lumber mill in Toledo, Oregon, and was sent by GP to assist in managing another mill in Old Forge, NY. He managed tree farms and foresters for Publishers Paper Company in Oregon City, and later partnered with Portland consulting firm Saunders, Larson, Cronk and Holmes.

Bob loved forestry and spoke frankly of his hopes that his grandchildren would feel this same passion for their own career. His family has been greatly influenced by Bob's passion for life, his unconditional love for them, and daily gratitude for his abundant blessings.

Bob transitioned from forestry to real estate, joining Sisters Realty when he and Eddy moved to Sisters in 1979. They built a home in Camp Sherman where they lived for 23 years. They were founding members of The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration and deeply involved in its choir, ministries and parish life. He was an annual volunteer for the Sisters Jazz Festival and assisted seniors through Interfaith Ministries.

They moved to Redmond to be close to medical facilities until Eddy passed away in 2008. Bob then moved back to Sisters in 2010.

Throughout his life, Bob's favorite pastimes were hiking, exploring back roads, picnics, traveling, and playing bridge, pinochle and cribbage. Most of all, Bob and Eddy loved to entertain and socialize. Bob's warmth, hospitality, kindness, penchant for making times fun, and his genuine interest in the lives of others will be fondly remembered. Bob's love for people, building rich and enduring friendships, and his faith in God lay at the core of his exceptional life.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and son Mark Larson who lived in Oregon City.

He is survived by sister, Betty Graves of Palm Springs, CA; daughter, Leslie (Riley) McHugh of Sisters; Mark's wife, Judy Larson of Cave Junction; five grandchildren, Ryan (Heidi) McHugh of Bend, and Shauna McHugh of Honolulu, HI, Melissa Larson (Jeff) Fischer of Sherwood, Jessie Larson of Austin, TX, and Ian Larson of Cave Junction; four great-grandchildren, Addison, Caden, and Hailey McHugh and Monroe June Fischer.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 68825 Brooks Camp Road, Sisters, OR. Memorial contributions may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, P.O. Box 130, Sisters, OR, 97759.