Robert Lee Faler

Bob was born in Salem on April 7, 1950, to Margaret (Thomas) Faler and Cecil Peterson. After Cecil’s passing, Margaret married Rolla Faler, who Bob called “Dad” and loved deeply. After Bob’s 1968 graduation from McNary High School in Keizer, he pursued and earned a degree in computer science at his beloved Oregon State University, where he became a die-hard, faithful member of Beaver Nation.

After graduation, Bob became a Certified Public Accountant. During his career, he worked for Arthur Anderson, Touche Ross, and was a founding member of Faler, Grove & Mueller, CPAs, before venturing out on his own and forming Faler & Associates, PC. One of the hardest working men on the planet and a glutton for punishment, Bob maintained his CPA license for the rest of his life. Over the years, many of his clients became much more like family members than business associates, and he cared about them genuinely.

In the summer of 1966, serendipity and good friends interceded, and Bob went on a date with Marilyn Schmaltz at the Oregon State Fair. Nearly five years later, in 1971, Bob and Marilyn were married at St. Edward’s Catholic Church. Bob and Marilyn went on to have three children: Shelley, Jason, and Matthew. Workaholic tendencies notwithstanding, and ever proud of his children, Bob never missed an event in which his kids participated.

In 1970, Bob enlisted as an infantryman in the Army National Guard where he served his country for six years.

In 1979, Bob was overjoyed when he became aware that he had three older brothers and two older sisters of whom he was not previously aware. The siblings quickly made up for lost time and Bob loved them dearly. The smile that emanated from time spent with his siblings and their families was unmatched, as were the boisterous belly laughs and long, loving hugs.

Bob enjoyed traveling, fishing, attending and watching OSU Beaver athletic events, tormenting his children and grandchildren with complex mental math problems, and cheering (loudly) for his grandchildren at their sporting events and activities. Above all else, he enjoyed spending precious time with his cherished family, both immediate and extended. Bob revered and had a deeply spiritual connection with Camp Sherman and the Metolius River, his own personal Mecca, where he, Marilyn, and the family visited and stayed annually for decades. For those that loved and continue to love him, the pristine waters of the Metolius will forever be associated with Bob, and held as sacred.

Bob was preceded in his journey to heaven by his parents, Margaret and Rolla, and his beloved brothers, Rick and Chuck. He is survived by the love of his life, Marilyn Faler (AKA “Sugar bear”), as well as Shelley and Peter Kennedy, Jason Faler and Caroline Zeller, Matthew and Julia Faler, Rita Habib, Hannah Kennedy, Anthony and Kenzi Faler, Aria Faler, George and Michelle Gwynne, June (Hopkins) and Don Campbell, , Lillian Barnett, Sally Sergeant, Cathy Sergeant, Nicholas Gwynne, Jerem Sutherland, Jenny and Rich Hale Barnett, and Kevin, Jenny, Chelsea, Chris and Kati Sergeant.

A celebration of life will be held for Bob on Saturday, October 29th, from 1:00 to 5:00pm, in the Chemeketa Cellars Tasting Room at the Northwest Wine Studies Center (Chemeketa Eola), 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW, Salem, OR 97304. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in honor of Bob’s granddaughter, Aria, and the health care heroes who have dedicated their professional lives in service to so many inspiring children with complex medical needs.