Robert Lewis Hire

Robert Lewis “Bob” Hire, 73, of Heppner died, Thursday, July 16 at Heppner. At his request, no service will be held. Bob was born in Caldwell, Idaho on November 16, 1946, the son of Elaine “Kitty” and Maurice C. Combs Hire.

His family resided in Baker City, Oregon until the age of five years old and he was raised mostly in Camp 5 and Kinzua, Oregon with his mother and stepfather Harvey Spivey and siblings. He graduated from Wheeler High School in Fossil, Oregon in 1965, and moved to Bates, Oregon in 1966 where he met and married the love of his life Laura Davis Hire in August of 1968. The couple had two children, Raymond and Kathleen.

Bob went to work for Kinzua Corporation in 1968 where he started out as an electrician’s apprentice and followed the company to Heppner when it moved in 1978. He worked for the company until they sold to another company in 1993/1994 after that, he dabbled as a bread route delivery master for a year and was eventually recruited back to being an electrician for Lamb Weston in Hermiston where he stayed until his retirement in 2005. Bob REALLY loved camping and going to the woods to cut and haul wood most of all. He dearly loved his grandchildren: Cassie and Katie Hire, Paul, Lizzy and Ella Vore.

Survivors include his wife Laura of Heppner, son; Raymond Hire and his wife Lori and granddaughters Cassie and Katie all of Prairie City, a daughter; Kathy Vore and her husband Sam and grandchildren Paul, Lizzy and Ella all of Hermiston, and a brother Frank Spivey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elaine and Maurice as well as his stepdad Harvey, brother; Bill Roberts, sisters; Lois Coleen Hire and Claire (Suzy) Orr. Bob loved his years in Kinzua and Camp 5 and wishes to be returned there for his final resting place.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Pioneer Memorial Hospice, PO Box 9, Heppner, Oregon 97836

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