Robt. L. Vandecar Was Durkee Creek Rancher 54 Years
Funeral services for Robert L. Vandecar of Durkee, 77 years of age and a well known Baker County stockman were conducted at 2:00 pm Tuesday Feb. 20 at Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel. The Rev. Richard A. Toll of the St. Stephens Episcopal Church officiated. Vault interment followed in the family plot at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Vandecar was born May 14, 1895 in Payette, Idaho the son of Augustus Byron and Rose Mott Vandecar. He had his schooling in Haines and in 1918 moved to Durkee. He was married to his wife, Elsa Opal Long Vandecar on March 31, 1917 in Weiser, Idaho. He has spent his entire business career as a stockman and rancher, having been in the business 57 years, 54 of those years on the Durkee Creek Ranch. He passed away early Friday morning at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital after an extended illness.
He was a longtime member of the Durkee Grange, the Baker Elks Lodge No. 338 and of the Oregon Cattleman’s Association. He is survived by his wife, Elsie; two daughters, Mrs. Leland (Priscilla) Jenkins of Eugene and Mrs. Bob (Mary) Forsea of Richland: two foster sons, Dr. Joseph Hindman of Pullman, Washington and Edwin M. Hindman of Baker; one sister, Myrtle Ackerman of Baker; fourteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and seven nieces and nephews.
His son, Robert L. Vandecar Jr. preceded him in death on March 5, 1968.
Source: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, Feb. 22, 1973 page 1
Contributed by: Belva Ticknor