Robert Bob E. Wells, Sr.

Bob was born in Portland, Oregon on January 24, 1919. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1937 and went on to work for a public utility. He enrolled at Oregon State in 1941 to study electrical engineering, but later transferred to Portland State University to take part in the Civilian Pilot Training Program available at that University. At the outbreak of WWII Bob joined the Army Air Corps as a Pilot Cadet. He served as a fighter pilot in the South Pacific flying P-39 and P-40 aircraft. In August of 1944 he was severely wounded while attacking a Japanese airfield. He successfully returned his plane to an allied airfield, where he passed out from loss of blood on the runway apron. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart for this exploit. After recovering from his wounds, he was hired by United Airlines in 1945. In 1953 he was promoted to Captain and flew a variety of piston and jet powered aircraft. He loved flying and retired from United when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in 1979. In 1947 on a flight to Honolulu he met stewardess, Betty Lou Swartz, the love of his life, who he married in January of 1948. They raised three boys Robert Jr. , Michael and Thomas. Bob was a loving and supportive father, who arranged his flight schedules around his sons school and extracurricular activities. He served on their Boy Scout troop committee and as a Little League coach. He also took his civic responsibilities seriously, serving as a Burough Councilman in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. After moving to Sunriver, Oregon in 1985 Bob served on the Design Committee reviewing building plans for that community. Bobs family and friends will remember him as a man who kept a remarkably positive outlook on life regardless of what might come. Originally diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 1982, Bob survived the original outbreak, and several re-occurrences, going through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, but never losing his ability to smile. He loved skiing, which he participated in until he was 87, and golf which he played until age 90. He is one of only a very few golfers to have scored three holes-in-one. Bob and Betty moved to Touchmark Village, Bend in 2002, and became community leaders. Bob was a member of the food service committee, and helped to select items for the menu. He also served as a guest chief in the dining hall, preparing his often requested marinated beef ribs. In the last few years he became a theatrical producer at Touchmark, organizing presentations of Casey at the Bat , The Face on the Barroom Floor and Music through the Ages all performed by the residents and staff of Touchmark. Bob is survived by his wife Betty, three sons and their families: Robert Junior and wife Gay of Warrenton , OR with children Christie and Ryan and new great-grandson Graham; Michael and Wife Marie of San Diego, CA; and Thomas and wife Lucile of Mount Vernon, WA with sons Jackson and Sean. He is also survived by his brother Richard of Gresham, OR and numerous nieces and nephews. Dad, we love you. You gave us the greatest gift: the example of a life well-lived. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in the name of Robert E. Wells to Hospice House, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, OR 97701. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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Robert Bob E. Wells, Sr.

January 24, 1919 - April 4, 2013