Robert Valentine Stoffel

Robert Valentine Stoffel, 78, of Enterprise, died April 21 at his home surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. A service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Enterprise Christian Church. A graveside service will follow at Enterprise Cemetery and a reception will follow at Enterprise VFW.

He was born Feb. 14, 1932, in Clyde County, Kan. He was the ninth of 13 children born to Pearl and Amelia Stoffel.

Bob joined the Navy in 1951 and proudly served on the USS Charr submarine during the Korean War.

In 1959, he married Zenda Morris. They had a son and three daughters and were married until 1973. They moved to La Grande in 1962 where Bob started his water well-drilling business, Stoffel Bros. Drilling.

In 1975, he moved to Wallowa County. For over 48 years, he drilled water wells throughout Wallowa, Union and Baker counties. Bob considered drilling wells more of a hobby instead of a job because of all of the wonderful people he met along the way. Many might recall Bob as the driller with a dog in tow.

Those who knew Bob say he always meant what he said and said what he meant. Some of Bob's greatest joys were dancing at the Elks, listening to big band music and watching John Wayne movies.

He is survived by his children, Jeff Stoffel and his wife, Kim, of Enterprise, Tori Reeve and her husband, Bruce of Metaline, Wash., Julie Henning and her husband, Mike, of Park City, Mont., and Tressa Masters and her husband, Bob, of Enterprise; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandson; sisters, Edna Mae Elder and her husband, Melvin, of La Grande, Javene Lobaugh and her husband, Charles, of Portland; and brother, Eugene Stoffel and his wife, Luella of Mesa, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Oliver, Junior Matthew, Lawrence, Lester, Wilber, Sidney, Raymond; and sisters, Adella (Reese) and Ada Fae (Ditmar).

Memorial contributions may be made to Wallowa County Foundation of Honor, 601 NE First St., Enterprise 97828.

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