Robert Clark Wickam

Robert Clark Wickam, 88, of La Grande died April 3, 2010, at his home surrounded by family and friends. A memorial service is planned for May 1, 2010 at the Blue Mt. Conference Center, in La Grande, Oregon at 1 PM.

Robert ‘Bob' Wickam was born September 25, 1921 at home in Baker, Oregon. He was the youngest of 10 children born to Jonathan Halsey and Amy Blanche (Clark) Wickam. He attended school in Baker, Oregon and graduated from Baker High in 1939.

Robert married Charlene Mynatt in 1940 in Washington State, where they worked in apple orchards and then Robert worked for Boeing from 1942-1944. The family then returned to Baker and Robert joined the U.S. Navy in May 1944 where he served in the Pacific during WWII. After a decorated and honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Baker, Oregon.

He married Myrtle Cook in 1947 in Baker, Oregon. He drove taxi and school bus and worked for family at their dairies. His 38-year fire service career started in Baker, Oregon in 1950. During this time, Robert taught First Aide classes to the citizens of Baker through the extension office.

He married Wilma Francis in 1954 in Baker, Oregon. In 1960 he became the first paid Fire Chief of Beaverton Oregon in which he designed a map system for the fire hydrants in Washington County. He hosted the Oregon Fire Chief Convention in 1963 where he was co-chair. In 1963 he took the position of Fire Chief in Milwaukie Oregon and in 1966 moved to La Grande, Oregon to take the position of Fire Chief. At all his Fire Stations he was dedicated to having well trained Volunteer and Paid Personnel and initiated many "Burn to Learn" exercises. He was elected President of the Oregon Fire Chief Association 1965-1966. Robert was instrumental in the hiring of the first Fire Marshal in the State of Oregon, which Governor Hatfield signed into law. In 1969 he took a position with the U.S. Embassy Vietnam as Civilian Fire Chief in charge of training at all US installations and training the South Vietnamese. He was there until 1975 when Vietnam fell and was on the second to the last helicopter out, the last being the Marines.

In 1975, Robert took a position with ITT NARL as the O & M Civil Supervisor Fire & Safety Department, which sent him to the North Slopes and then to Germany. He married Thuy Vo in Washington State. In 1983 Robert went to work in King County Washington as Deputy Fire Marshall until 1985 when he had a near fatal car crash and was forced to retire from the fire service in 1988.

In 1990 Bob moved back to La Grande, Oregon. He served as Commander of the American Legion Post 43, in La Grande for the past two years and was very passionate about the Legion projects he was involved in. He was also a past member of the Elks, Eagles, and Lions for many years in several of the cities he lived.

He is survived by son R. Dale & Doris Wickam of Silverton, ID, daughter Sharon & Richard Blacketer of Mullen, ID, daughter Linda & Fred Foersterling of Baker City, OR, son Rodney & Carmen Wickam of Baker City, OR, daughter Lawanna Wickam of La Grande, OR, daughter Lalonni and Kelly Haggerty of La Grande, OR, daughter Lalessa & Jim Wyatt of Crystal Beach, FL, daughter Laletta & Archie Benner of Pochetello, ID, daughter Desiree Hong of Kent, WA, daughter Letta Wickam of Santa Monica, CA, son Ricky Wickam of Kent, WA and daughter Melissa Wickam of La Grande, OR, 33 grand children, 38 great grand children, 3 great-great grand children and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 8 sisters, 1 brother and his son Neil C. Wickam.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Oregon Chapter of the American Red Cross in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh Street in La Grande, OR.

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