Obituary of Robert Gerald Vreim

  Robert Gerald Vreim was born November 30th’ 1940 in the family farmhouse in Wilmot , South Dakota to Melvin and Myrtle Vreim. A blizzard was raging, so the family was unable to get to the hospital. Instead the local doctor rode out to the farm to deliver him. He grew up on the farm with his older sister Alpha, older brother Orville, and younger brother Rusell. He attended school in a one room prairie schoolhouse called Springdale from first to eighth grade. One of his duties was to start the fire in the stove before class started. He attended Wilmot High School from ninth to twelfth grade. He played football, ran track, and participated in FFA. After graduating Bob attended the North Dakota State School of Science for two years. After graduating college Bob made the move to Eugene, Oregon. He enlisted in the Army for two years, then enlisted in the National Guard for six years. While in the Guard he worked for the Oregon Highway Dept. for two years, after which he began his long career at Morse Bros. Bob worked at the prestressed concrete division in Harrisburg for forty seven years. He began his employment with Morse Bros. as a draftsman and worked his way up to Senior Project Planner. Chances are you drove over many bridges in Oregon that were his projects. He had many large projects including the new Autzen Stadium expansion and the Nike Campus in Beaverton.

  In July of 1966 Bob met Carol Jean Cutler at the Franklin Ave. Deb’s diner. They were married May. 6, 1967. Carol was a nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital. They had two sons, Gerald Gregory Vreim and Christopher Triggs Vreim.

  The Vreim family attended Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where Bob was active in church council. He also used his considerable carpentry and contracting skills to help maintain the church. The Vreim family made many good friends at church and the activities they shared were some of Bob’s favorite times. Potluck dinners followed by cards and games were common, and a very important part of his life. Church picnics and group camping trips were among his favorites. Bob was active in choir and played the guitar.

  Bob was a proud Norwegian and a member of the Sons of Norway, Sonja Lodge in Eugene. Gatherings at Sonja Lodge would include Norwegian singing and music as well as lots of Norwegian food. Many of his friends at the Sons of Norway were fellow parishioners at church. Bob and Carol’s home featured Norwegian decor, and one of his most memorable vacations was a cruise to Norway.

  Bob was an accomplished woodworker and cabinet maker. He made extensive renovations to their home and really enjoyed working in his shop. He was an avid gardener, constantly making improvements to their yard. Bob’s hobbies also included fishing and camping with his family. He was an avid reader with a preference for Western fiction or history. He loved humor, reading Pat McMannus , Garrison Keillor and Mark Twain to name a few. Another passion of his was model tractors. His den was lined with shelves filled with far too many tractor models.

  In Bob’s later years his illness had a heavy impact on his life. Physical activity became so tiring he had a hard time doing many of his favorite activities, so he began reading even more. No historical documentary went unwatched. He greatly enjoyed family dinners and board game nights. There were probably too many heated discussions about politics, but he loved us all anyway. Bob was a very patient and kind man. He didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone. He had many friends, and he was greatly respected as a kind, truthful and hardworking man. In a time when so many people seem to be yelling about everything, Bob was quiet and thoughtful. He was quiet, and many people mistook this for shyness. However, once he got to know someone he was a great listener and conversationalist. Bob had a tremendous impact on people he knew. He was very humble, and felt he was just an ordinary person. His family and friends felt otherwise. He was extraordinary. Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol Jean Vreim. His son Gerry and his wife Teri and their three children, Madeline, Callan, and Camden. Bob’s son Chris has a daughter, Ellie, and his partner Liana Leung has a son, Brandon.

  Bob is also survived by his sister Alpha Marie Behrens of Peever, South Dakota. He is also survived by his brother Orville Vreim . Bob was preceded in death by his brother Russell. Andrea Swift is Bob’s honorary daughter and Nathan, Linnea, and Conrad, the children of Frank and Tish Davis, are his honorary grandchildren. Bob will be remembered by his family and friends. We love you. You will always be loved, and forever in our hearts.