August 23, 1935 - October 5, 2020
Robert (Bob) Chess passed away peacefully on October 5 at his residence in Gresham.
He was born in Yakima, WA on August 23, 1935 to Alpha N. Chess, and graduated from Greenleaf Friends Academy (ID) in 1953. He attended George Fox College, where he met Verdella Ann Greene. They married in 1958 at the Gresham Church of the Nazarene and settled in the Damascus area, moving to Sandy in 2001. He relocated to Gresham after Verdella’s passing in 2011.
Bob enjoyed sports throughout his life, emerging as a three-sport star at Greenleaf Friends Academy. He shared this passion with his family, with a big highlight being in attendance at the 1977 NBA Finals Game 6 when the Portland TrailBlazers won their only championship! He worked at Boeing (Seattle) and Crown Zellerbach (Oregon City) before learning the refrigeration trade, retiring in 1991 as chief engineer at Northwestern Ice & Cold Storage.
He showed extreme courage in battling health issues for many years, without losing his faith or great sense of humor - providing a “Hall of Fame” example on how to live life. Survivors include his son, Jon Chess of Gresham; daughter, Janelle Chess of Rockaway Beach; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was interred October 20 at Forest Lawn Cemetery with a private burial service. A virtual memorial service will be held at a later date, and contributions can be made to Bristol Hospice in Clackamas.
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