Durkee, Oregon
Robert William “Bob” Blacker, 56, of Durkee, died Jan. 22, 2007, at his home from complications of West Nile Virus.
His memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Durkee Community Church.
Bob was born in Baker City on Sept. 13, 1950, to Lora Riley Wright and Lee Arthur Blacker. He was the great-grandson of Charles and Minerva Baldock, who were early pioneer settlers in Baker Valley.
His father was a construction worker and the family moved frequently. The Blackers lived in many towns in Oregon, Washington and Montana while he was growing up and made many life-long friends along the way.
After graduating from high school at La Grande in 1968, he followed his father’s example and went into the diversified field of construction where he mastered working with concrete. He eventually worked on the Interpretive Center near Baker City.
In 1977 he married Roberta Hanna at Durkee. They lived at Portland where they had a son, Eric Lee. They later divorced. He lived most of his life in his beloved Eastern Oregon.
Some of his greatest pleasures were sharing hunting and fishing adventures with his brothers and friends and he especially loved the Snake River area. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, rodeos and ranching.
His family and friends said they will miss his charismatic laugh and generous nature.
Survivors include his girlfriend, Jody Nickerson, and her daughters, Stasia and Devon, of Durkee; his son, Eric Blacker of Los Osos, Calif.; a daughter, Tara Cheatum of Seattle, Wash.; a sister, Faye Winkle, and her husband, Jerry, of La Grande; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Chris Blacker of Durkee and Gary Wright of Portland.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 26, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor