Robert Lee “Bob” Gemaehlich, 85, died Saturday morning, March 19, 2022, at his home in Madras, Oregon.
Bob was born at Alma, Nebraska, July 28, 1936, the third of four children born to Bert and Elsie (Felzien) Gemaehlich. His siblings were Eugene, Yvonne, and Marilyn. His parents, Eugene, and Yvonne predeceased him. In 1940, his family moved to the Rogue Valley where they purchased a home on Minear Road, Medford.
Bob attended Griffin Creek Elementary and Jacksonville High School. He enjoyed his school years and developed many life-long friendships with the people he met there.
Bob met his future wife, Lana Young, at a high school basketball tournament. Six months later they married at Reno, Nevada on August 20, 1955.
Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1956. He worked as a refueling boom operator on a KC97. The Air Force discharged Bob from active duty in 1960. He continued in the reserves for another two years with his final discharge in 1962.
Bob bought land in Jacksonville and continued his education in business and accounting at SOC while working for Crater Finance. He began his tax service in 1968 and opened Jacksonville Business Service in 1971. In 1985, he and Lana relocated to Fall River Mills, California where Bob managed an accounting office. Desiring to be closer to family, they moved back to Oregon in 1995 and opened Quality Business Service in Madras which he operated until his death.
He raised cattle for many years and his dream was to have a ranch. The closest he came to attaining this dream were the years that he owned an 80-acre ranch in Alfalfa.
Bob was active in the Lion’s Club, Chamber of Commerce, church, his children’s schools, and Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Department, 1960-1985, where he served as assistant fire chief.
Church was important and he embraced the gospel which had been shared with him as a child. He did his best to share this knowledge with his children and grandchildren. His most recent church membership was with the Emmaus Lutheran Church, Redmond.
Regardless of his many activities, his family was always his priority. He gave his children his time and encouragement in their endeavors.
Bob is survived by his wife, Lana Gemaehlich, Madras; four children: Sam Gemaehlich (Debbie), Molt, Montana, Bill Gemaehlich (Nancy), Celina, Texas, Victoria Gemaehlich, Redmond and Vonnie Gemaehlich-Murray, Scio; eight grandchildren: Amy, Tom, Billy, Mark, Scott, Liza, Robert and Nicole; fourteen great-grandchildren: Shelby, Abby, McKenna, Kayleb, Ezekiel, Quinten, Llewyn, Charlee, Arrow, Aurilla, Eden, Colt, Rolland, and Elsie; siblings: Marilyn Gemaehlich, Roberta Stanfield and Erick Gemaehlich; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 5, 2:00 p.m. at the Lutheran/Episcopal Church, 395 SE C St., Madras. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 7, at Jacksonville Cemetery, 1:00 p.m. followed by a reception at the Bigham Knoll Campus (formerly Jacksonville High School), Mr. Smith’s classroom, 2:15 p.m.
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