Robert E. “Bob” Lockwood, 86, a 64-year resident of Pendleton, died Aug. 3, 2001.
For more than 40 years he was known in the community for the superior service he provided to his local customers and tourists who patronized his service station in Pendleton.
His funeral was today at 10 a.m. at Bishop Funeral Chapel in Pendleton. Following the services a luncheon was held at the VFW Hall. Private family internment will be at Olney Cemetery Mausoleum in Pendleton.
Mr. Lockwood was born May 5, 1915, at Weiser, Idaho, to George E. and marie Lockwood. He grew up in La Grande and graduated in 1933 from La Grande High School. He moved to Pendleton in 1937 to open the first Richfield Oil Service Station in the city prior to being drafted into the Army and serving in World War II.
Mr. Lockwood was involved in the invasion of Sicily and later was captured on Oct. 18, 1943, by German soldiers, becoming a prisoner of war. On April 29, 1944, he was freed. In 2000, through the assistance of Sen. Gordon Smith’s office, Mr. Lockwood was awarded his Purple Heart for injuries he suffered while serving his country almost 55 years before.
Mr. Lockwood returned to Pendleton to operate his service station, where he built a reputation for providing quality service that continues to be remembered by many. Washing every window inside and out with a chamois, sweeping all the floor mats with a whisk broom (later on, with a vacuum), checking the oil, fan belts and tire pressure of every car were his standards. His trademarks were “the boys with the whisk brooms” and the saying, “keep your hands off the windows” with a great big smile to children who were passengers in the cars, then giving them all a piece of candy.
He married Aileen V. Lockwood in Gilroy, Calif., on Sept. 18, 1945. Together they raised three sons. While Mr. Lockwood operated the service station Aileen kept the office windows and restrooms of the station decorated elaborately with fishing nets, seashells and live gold fish aquariums. Mr. Lockwood loved going to movies and riding his three-wheeled Harley-Davidson motorcycle, occasionally with his two eldest sons riding on the back service box and his youngest on his lap.
Mr. Lockwood is survived by his wife, Aileen, of Pendleton; his sons and their wives, Nolan and Kathleen Lockwood of Tacoma, Wash., Gregg and Susan Lockwood of Philomath, and Zane and Debbie Lockwood of Baker City; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a sister, Georgeanna Bruch of Woodburn; and a brother, Harold K. Lockwood of Clifton, Va.
Mr. Lockwood was preceded in death by his parents.
If desired, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 922, American Red Cross or the charity of your choice in care of Bishop Funeral Home, 131 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton, Ore., 97801.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 10, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor