Robert Roy Gebo Jr.

Robert (Bob) R. Gebo, Jr., of Tigard died peacefully at home after a short battle with cancer on Thurs., Sept. 30, 2021. Bob was born on June 18, 1941, in Seattle, Wash., the only child to Bob and Betty Gebo.

Kind and generous is how so many described Bob. He saw the good in everyone he met, which endeared him to all who knew and loved him. He was motivated by the love for his family and was always there to offer advice or a willing ear.

After graduating from San Francisco’s Abraham Lincoln High School (class of ’58), Bob joined the U.S. Army Reserve and enrolled at Oregon State University, graduating in 1965 with a bachelor’s in business and technology. Beyond the classroom, Bob played soccer, rowed on the crew team, and joined the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity where he would meet great life-long friends. Bob had a drive for learning and went on to earn an MBA from Western Illinois University.

Bob married Nancy Childress on Dec. 19, 1970, in Danville, Ill. The couple had a wonderful marriage and were together for 44 years before Nancy passed away on Dec. 10, 2015.

Launching a career with Portland’s ESCO Corp., Bob found his place in the office and thrived in his his work, even as it took him to Danville, Ill., and then back to Portland within 10 years. In 1986, he took a new position with Precision Castparts Corp. In 1992, he bought his own company, HQ Business Centers, until he retired in 2003. He then devoted more time to care for Nancy who had been battling multiple sclerosis; and for the pair to enjoy retired life together.

Bob had many interests that spanned decades: He loved travel, reading, learning, sports, and being with family and friends. Staying active was always important to Bob, playing several sports—with a special passion for soccer. From rec-league midfielder to referee, he didn’t hang up his spikes (or whistle) until his two grandsons signed up for their own youth-soccer exploits. Bob was their #1 fan, rarely missing a match.

As a married pair, Bob and Nancy indulged their love of travel. They enjoyed regular relaxing visits to Palm Desert, Calif., adventures in Hawaii, and getaways to AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.

After Nancy’s passing, Bob’s love of travel took him overseas to board the Orient Express in Southeast Asia and on church-group tours to Israel and the UK. Bob also became an avid bridge player with the Portland Bridge Club. It was through bridge that he met his partner, Karen Zwickert. Their joy for bridge scores soon parlayed into more quality time together, dinners with friends, concerts, and travel.

Shortly after his 80th birthday in June 2021, Bob was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. As Karen’s compassion and care never wavered at Bob’s side, his strength and courage could be felt by loved ones to the very end.

Bob is survived by his partner Karen; 3 children, Jody and her husband Paul; Mark and his partner Ruthie; Ann and her husband Brad; 3 grandchildren, Seann, Jessica and her husband Andrew, and Aaron; and 4 great-grandchildren, Maverick, Maximus, Benjamin, and Violet.

In lieu of flowers, Bob requested that donations be made in his remembrance to the Oregon Food Bank.

Service will be held on Friday October 29, 2021 at 11am at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary.