Robert Stevens

Robert Stevens Sr. Robert William “Bob” Stevens Sr. January 23 1931 – April 10 2015 Surrounded by his children and friends, Bob Stevens departed for heaven at 4:25 Friday afternoon to be warmly welcomed by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all of the angels and saints. Born in his family home at 1528 Jefferson Street, “Bobby Bill” was raised by father John Edmund Stevens and mother Barbara Becker Stevens in the company of his siblings Mary Ellen, Jack, Jerry, Maurie, and Cathleen. Growing up on the edge of town with the Lane County Fairgrounds at his back door, Bob enjoyed his boyhood adventures with friends and walked to school each day to attend St. Mary. An active lifelong Catholic, Bob began his service as an altar boy and attended seminary at Mount Angel. Through the years Bob became a familiar friendly face at St. Mary and St. Jude, serving as a reader, Eucharistic minister, volunteering for many activities and warmly welcoming new members in both the English and Spanish speaking communities. As a young man Bob pursued many interests including hiking and camping the Cascades and Oregon Coast, bodybuilding, and Astronomy (hand-building several large telescopes). He loved vintage aircraft and built hundreds of model airplanes, flew control-line racers, and was an enthusiastic member of the Oregon Air and Space Museum. His highest passion was reserved for music. Harmonizing with his brothers from an early age, he embraced many styles. His award winning barbershop quartet, “The Timbertones” toured the United States in the 1950’s. He played guitar and sang folk music in the 1960’s. And he explored a range of jazz styles playing piano and trumpet and performing with the Eugene Community Orchestra and Eugene Stage Band. Bob met Kathleen Sue Stevens as she was completing her training as a registered nurse. The two fell in love and married on January 25th 1964, and built a home South of Eugene to raise their family. Kathy passed away on May 11th 2010 and Bob is survived by his children Robert William Stevens Jr., Lisa Kathleen Stevens, Sean Patrick Stevens, and Thomas Wesley Stevens. Bob supported his children in their every endeavor, instilled in them a love of music and the outdoors, and inspired them with his playful humor and handyman skills. Bob deeply loved his grandchildren Kellen, Sionna, Duncan, Ian, Lola, and Paisley. Bob spent forty years supporting his family as a machinist for Southern Pacific Railroad, beginning his career at the peak of steam technology and the advent of diesel. After retirement he continued his passion for music, writing and recording songs of love and wonder. He became a student of Spanish language. He accompanied his wife on medical missions to Guatemala, serving as a handyman and translator for the Cascade Medical Team. He enjoyed his final years at Cascade Manor, which he compared to living in Disneyland. In his 84 years among us, Bob touched many lives. He will be remembered and emulated for his love, kindness, faith, loyalty, and devotion. The family hopes to celebrate his life with his many friends and family members at his funeral and reception 12pm Wednesday April 15th, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1062 Charnelton Street in Eugene.