Robert Bruce Myers

Robert Bruce Myers of John Day, passed away peacefully in his home on 19 October 2022, with his wife by his side, he was seventy-eight.

Robert was born 16 November 1943 to Esther Hahn Myers and Wallace D. Myers, in Portland, Oregon; the youngest of two sons. Robert would attend Woodlawn Elementary School through eighth grade, followed by Jefferson High School, in Portland, graduating in 1961. He would go on to marry his first wife Irene, they would have one son Robert Junior in 1962. Later, he would marry his second wife, Colleen S. Crabb, they would have a son, Shawn Waldron in 1969 and a daughter, Shannon Jo in 1970. Robert would honorably serve in the United States Air Force until 1964, at which time he would go to work for Alcoa Aluminum in Washington State. His first civilian employment would be short lived when his father became gravely ill, passing away on Thanksgiving Day 1969. In 1970, Robert would join his mother in making arrangements for Robert to take over the family business immediately and together they incorporated for the first time, their already twenty-four-year-old refuse company, Myers Drop Box Service Inc. Robert would go on to own and operate their business for another thirty-four years, retiring in 2004.

Robert and this third wife, Janet, were married in 1992. Having no children of their own, they joined Janet’s sister as added parents for their niece Rana, born in 1995 from 1999 forward. From the moment they met, it was kismet! He loved that girl as his very own, at a time when he was so ready with open arms and a wide-open heart, and she loved that man right back. Robert would express his love for the eastern Oregon region, specifically John Day, since the 1960’s. Throughout the entirety of their marriage Robert would chatter continually about relocating to John Day. He would track its weather every single day since 1996 (possibly longer) and finally they relocated in May 2017. He continued to love classic cars, guns, knives, military memorabilia, history, reading, his family and friends – but most of all, his wife, his brother and Rana.

Robert is survived by his widow Janet, John Day; brother W. Darwin (Nancy), Martinez, CA; son Robert Junior (his mother Irene), Portland; niece-daughter Rana (Joey), La Grande; nephews Bruce (Melinda) and Mark (Stephanie) both of CA; sister-in-law Charissa (Lee), Portland; daughter’s widower Pete, Portland; four grandchildren, three great grandchildren and multiple cousins.

Robert is preceded in death by his daughter Shannon, age 35 in 2006 and his son (Shannon’s brother) Shawn, age 49 in 2019, both from cancer; one year later, in 2020, their mother Colleen would pass away.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Driskill Memorial Chapel; family and friends will travel in procession from Driskill Memorial Chapel to Rest Lawn Cemetery where Robert will be interred with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions can be made to the American Red Cross or a charity of one’s choice, through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd, John Day, OR 97845, of whom we have entrusted Robert’s final arrangements.

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