Robert Ray Mink

Robert Ray Mink, of La Grande, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, August 24, 2005 in Saint Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho. His remains were cremated.

Robert-"Bob" to his friends, was born on January 8, 1932 to Fredrick Harold and Nona Sharlene (McCurry) Mink at North Powder, Oregon. After attending La Grande High School, Bob married Chere' Merle Bailey - "The Love of his Life"-when they eloped on a 1948 Harley Davidson motorcycle, on November 13, 1948. They were together for 57 years.

He worked in the timber industry for 46 years running heavy equipment unloading and loading logs, "HIGHDECKER" was his handle. He retired in 1994 from Boise Cascade in La Grande. Bob spent many hours working for the La Grande Mavericks Club building the Rodeo grounds, the club house, etc. He loved the outdoors, the mountains, his horses, his motorcycles, his dogs and his family. Bob also hunted and fished all over Northeastern Oregon, and was known to be very good at both.

Bob and Chere' traveled all over the Western United States and Canada on several motorcycles, accumulating 100's of thousands of miles. Their last motorcycle adventure was on a 1995 Harley Davidson motorcycle with a sidecar. Bob will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Robert Mink is survived by his wife, Chere' and sons Rocky of La Grande and Rusty of Elgin; granddaughters, Dusteen Dawn Mink of Bend, Oregon, Karlee Mishan Mink of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Brandeen Maree Mink of Seattle, Washington. Two sisters, Jennifer G. Jones of Lake Havasu, Arizona and Joanne Holcombe of Joseph, Oregon also survive him.

There will be no services, however, a "WAKE" will be held starting at 2:00 p.m. on September 17, 2005 at 901 "H" Avenue, La Grande, to honor his life.