Robert (Bob) William Metlen died Oct. 31, 2007.
Bob was born in Townsend, MT and raised in Pocatello, ID. At 17, he joined the Airforce and was shot down on his 5th mission as a ball turret gunner on a B-17. He walked from Belgium to Gilbralder with the underground and was incarcerated in England until he could be positively identified. The war ended the day he was to fly from California to the Pacific as a radioman on a B-36. After the war he went to the University of Idaho where he met and married the bride of his life, Ruth Walden and now Metlen. He also graduated with dual range and forestry degrees. He retired from U.S. Forest Service after 35 years of government service at age 55. He had been a district ranger for 19 of those years, two at Joseph, Ore., nine at Unity, Ore., and eight Mazoma, Wash. the back country was always his passion. He was very active in each of his communities as a Firstaid Responder and Instruction, Boy Scout Leader, and Ski Patroller. At 55 years of age he and Ruth moved to their “homestead” out of Vale, Ore., where they with no former carpentry experience, built the house and shop where he spent the rest of his life.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Walden Metlen, a sister Janice Hovey of Pocatello, ID, sons Kit Metlen of Olympia, WA, Kim Metlen of La Grande, OR, and Scott Metlen of Moscow, ID. Also 7 grandchildren and two, almost 3 great-grandchildren. A sister died earlier.
In leu of flowers, photos and stories of Ranger Robert are requested at the memorial. It will be held at the Boulevard Grange Hall betwen Ontario and Cairo, Oregon on Nov. 17, 2007 at 2 p.m.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, November 8, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor