Robert L. Fallow

Robert Lee Fallow, Sr., age 84, of La Grande, died Thursday, November 2, 2006 in Tualatin, Oregon. A funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church on Fourth Street in La Grande, Oregon. Private interment will be at the Grandview Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Bob was born on April 2, 1922, the son of Miles Owen and Vada Gertrude (Squire) Fallow in Imbler, Oregon. He graduated from La Grande High School and attended Eastern Oregon College. On July 7, 1944 he married Catherine M. Mead in Pendleton.

During World War II he served with the United States Air Force as a B-17 pilot, successfully completing 25 missions in Europe (including three forced crash landings/ditchings) until he was honorably discharged in December of 1945. He returned to La Grande after his military service and worked for Eddy's Bread for a time before purchasing Bob's Corner Market on Fourth and "C" Streets. He later sold the business and became the distributor of Nalley Foods for N.E. Oregon. He then purchased and operated La Grande Amusement Company. He also opened the Contemporary Shop with his wife. In addition, he developed the La Grande Coin Operated Cleaners and Stonewood Mobile Home Park. He owned the Phoenix Building and was a partner in the ownership the Foley Building.

Bob was a very active proponent of his community and N.E. Oregon. He was the co-chairman of the fund drive for the Grande Round Hospital, lobbied for the rebuilding of the Second Street Overpass. He was a Joseph building partner and helped in the redesign of the building from a hospital to a community building and is now owned by the county. Together with Steve Anderson, they renovated the Foley building downtown. They earned the Renovation of the Year Award from the State Economic Development.

He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving as President. Bob was awarded the Man of the Year award by the Chamber organization. He belonged to the Optimist Club, the La Grande Elks Lodge, the La Grande Eagles Lodge, American Legion Post 433, and the La Grande Country Club, where he was president. Bob also served on the budget committee for the La Grande School District.
He was one of the founding members of the La Grande Industrial Development Board and they were responsible for bringing Fleetwood Travel Trailers to La Grande. Bob also was involved in the formation of the Airport Light Industrial Park, and the formation and funding to purchase the land for the Baum Industrial Park. He was also active with the Union County Economic Development Corporation. In the 1960's he was active with the Northeast Oregon Vacation Lands and developed the ‘Show Me' Tours which brought media to Northeast Oregon to develop tourism in Union, Wallowa, and Baker county area.

He was a charter member of his trade industry, the Oregon Amusement and Music Operators Association, where he served as President twice and was awarded the Coin Operator of the Year for the state of Oregon. He also served as their Legislative Chairman and through the efforts of Bob and others has resulted in the present Oregon State Video Lottery. When Bob was on the Citizens Coordinating Committee of the Oregon State Highway Division he received a special "Appreciation Award" from Governor Tom McCall.

Bob enjoyed life! He thoroughly enjoyed entertaining. He was often heard to say, "I don't want anybody coming to a party of mine and going away hungry and without getting something good to eat." He also loved fishing with friends. Their fishing groups all had names: The Salmon River fishermen were known as the "Purple Gang;" the Babine River group were the "Babine Bad Boys," and the Kenai River group were the "Kenai Kings Club." His pink rowboat was somewhat of an icon at Morgan Lake. Bob was listed as "Skipper" and his friends all had various titles painted on the side. Titles varied from "First Mate" to "Flunky." Fishing venues varied from Canada, the Salmon River, and especially the Newport area and it's nearby coastal rivers.

Survivors include Catherine of La Grande; sons, Robert L. Fallow Jr. and his wife, Cam of West Linn, Oregon, Greg Fallow and his wife, Anne, of Orlando, Florida and Peter Fallow and his wife, Marilyn, of La Grande; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; brother, Dale Fallow of Grants Pass; and sister, Marvel West of Centralia, Washington.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Fallow to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon.