Robert Parcher Ellingson Jr., 85, a Klamath Falls resident for 80 years, died July 24, 2002, at Merle West Medical Center.
His funeral was Friday at the Klamath Lutheran Church. Private burial was at Eternal Hills.
Robert was born April 7, 1917, at Hawkins, Wisc., the oldest of four children of Robert Parcher and Myrtle T.N. Ellingson Sr. In 1923 he moved with his family from Wisconsin to Klamath Falls, where they were involved in lumber remanufacturing, logging and saw milling in the Klamath Basin. Robert attended Roosevelt Elementary School and graduated from Klamath Union High School with the class of 1936. Robert attended Oregon State University and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1940.
He married Helen Mae Ruzic of Eureka, Calif., on Nov. 24, 1940. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last Thanksgiving. Better known as Papa and Bob to all who knew and loved him, Robert was never without his Stetson. Robert and Helen Ellingson valued higher education for youth and have for many years sponsored foundation scholarships at Oregon State University, the University of Oregon and the Oregon Institute of Technology.
Robert was general manager of Ellingson Lumber Company in Klamath Falls and later president of Ellingson Lumber and Timber Companies in Baker City. He was well known in the forest products industry and participated in many trade organizations, including Western Wood Products Association and Western Forest Industries Association. After 50 years of working at his passion, he retired in 1992.
Throughout his lifetime Robert continually gave to his neighbors, church and community. He was a life member of Klamath Lutheran Church and Klamath Elks Lodge No. 1247, past president and 50-year perfect attendance member of Klamath Falls Rotary Club and an active participant in the Rotary 4-H barbecues. He was a 60-year member of Reames Golf and Country Club as well as the SAE Alumni Association.
Robert loved to hunt ducks and deer with his loyal friends and sons. His interest in trap shooting led to his membership in the Pacific Indians Trap Shooting Club of Canada, where he served as Tyee Sachem.
Papa looked forward to his summers at Lake of the Woods, pulling grandchildren and neighbors behind the roar of “Robert’s Rocket.”
Robert exemplified everything that is good and noble. He will be remembered as a loving and dedicated husband and father of his three children.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Ellingson of Klamath Falls; brother and sister-in-law, Donald M. and Thaoma Ellingson of Baker City; sister and brother-in-law, Dorthea and Robert W. Balderston of Englewood, Colo.; son and daughter-in-law, Robert P. III and Diane Ellingson of Baker City, daughter, D. Kathryn DeArmond of Wilsonville, son and daughter-in-law, G. Peter and Ginger Ellingson of Baker City; nine grandchildren, including Lisa and Brian Wing of Canby, Tom and Linda DeArmond of Wilsonville, Brent DeArmond of Hubbard, Travis Ellingson of Tacoma, Wash., Todd Ellingson of Portland, Thomas Ellingson of Lake Tahoe, Calif., Capt. Greg and 1st Lt. Jenny Ellingson of Port St. John, Fla., 1st Lts. Kelsey and Joseph Kramer of Sumter, S.C., and Camber Ellingson of Baker City; and two great-grandchildren, Katelyn and Benjamin Wing of Canby.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Sigmund H. Ellingson of Baker City.
Contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to the Oregon Institute of Technology Endowed Scholarship in his name, or to the Klamath Lutheran Church.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 2, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor