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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Drug conspirators from November raid still at large ... SOU faculty, board settle on new contract ... Man arrested in Harney County standoff jailed in Jackson County ... Drug conspirators from November raid still at large ... SOU faculty, board settle on new contract ... Man arrested in Harney County standoff jailed in Jackson County ... Robert Boyd Stuart Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 18, 2016 at 4:16 PM Posted Jan. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 18, 2016 at 4:16 PM » Social News April 21, 1931 - January 6, 2016 Robert Boyd Stuart was born in San Francisco, California on April 21, 1931 to Miles and Jean Stuart, and brought home to Medford one week later. As a young boy, Bob and his pals covered just about every inch of the Rogue Valley in one exciting adventure after another. Growing up on Queen Anne Ave., Bob attended Roosevelt Elementary, McLaughlin Jr. High, and Medford High School, graduating in 1949. After a year at the University of Oregon, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and joined the war in Korea. He served two years in the 25th Infantry as an air traffic controller, a jeep driver for General Matthew Ridgway and other high-ranking officials, and as an amphibious tank operator. Seeking a warm, dry climate to counter the chill of Korea, Bob studied geology at the Arizona State University in Tempe where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and where he met the love of his life, Barbara Greer. Bob and Barbara were married in Medford on August 13, 1955, and Bob joined his father Miles in the family business, Tru-Mix Concrete. Miles Stuart and Floyd Sommers had started Tru-Mix in 1941, and as a teenager Bob had worked for Tru-Mix unloading sacks of cement. Bob was a passenger with Miles and Floyd when they delivered the first load of ready-mix concrete to the Rogue Valley. Bob and Barbara had two daughters, Sandra and Sharon. Bob was a wonderful and devoted father, freely giving his time and attention to their interests. Bob spent countless hours as a timekeeper for swim team, a gatekeeper for ski team, a chaperone for the hiking club, and helped with crafting of any kind. They had a large yard and garden and Bob found yard work was more fun with a crew of neighbor kids. Bob enthusiastically shared his interests with family and friends. These included rock hounding, mushrooming, fly fishing and fly tying, snow skiing, and chestnut roasting. Bob loved the wonders of nature, and the family enjoyed the outdoors together, particularly summers at the family cabin on the Rogue River. Bob was a shop guy and loved working with tools and machinery, big and small. He loved a mechanical challenge and held three US patents. To conquer his fear of flying, he obtained his pilot’s license in the early 1980s then joined a flying club and took friends and family on flights to enjoy Oregon from the air. Bob’s Eagle Scout preparedness showed in his collection of stuff he kept in his truck to ready him for any treasure found or adventure taken, from gold panning,to rock hounding, to construction viewing. Bob had a compassion for critters of all kinds, and with the guidance of a dear friend, nurtured injured animals to health. The Stuart family always had an unusual animal around the house. Early in their marriage, Bob and Barbara had a pet raccoon, aptly named “Dynamite”. Bob had a pet skunk when he was young, so he felt that his girls should have the same wonderful experience. Family and friends enjoyed the many antics of “Rosebud”, the pet skunk. The Stuart family had a variety of snakes, rabbits, rodents, and birds (fortunately not all at the same time). Bob even bonded with a baby Bluejay that would come down to land on his shoulder when Bob called “Bird”! Bird was Bob’s companion in his shop, sometimes stealing small pieces of shiny metal or napping on machinery in the corner. Bob and Barbara were members of the Medford Congregational Church for over fifty years, and Bob took pride in helping to build the church and the adjoining fellowship hall. Bob was a member of Rogue Snowman and Rogue Fly Fishers, a member of the University Club, and past president of Knife and Fork International. Bob was even known to play duplicate bridge on occasion (although he would fully deny any enjoyment of the game to Barbara). Bob was a deeply caring and loving man; a good-natured man of honesty and integrity. He cherished his friends and family. Daily life with Bob was filled with laughter. He had a keen sense of humor and loved to tease, but was tender and kind in his play. Bob was brilliant, but "could knot spel worth a hoot." He loved to teach and to learn, and he got a gleam in his eyes with the sharing of odd tidbits of knowledge. He had a warm smile and twinkling blue eyes filled with love and appreciation. He will be missed by many. Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara, and his daughters Sandra Johnson (Larry), and Sharon Glaeser (Bob). He was a wonderful and loving grandfather to Sarah and Lindsey Gilliland, and great-grandfather to Connor, Ayden, Carissa, and Izabel. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the Medford Congregational Church (UCC), 1801 E. Jackson St., Medford. A reception and lunch will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to the Medford Congregational Church or to a charity of your choice. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 18, 2016 at 4:16 PM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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