Robert Bob Dean Trump

November 17, 1932 – March 3, 2010

 

Salem- If you ever came in Bob’s back door you heard his booming voice calling out “Who’s that? Come in here.” You were always welcome, the coffee was always on and he was never too busy to stop and chat. People were important to Bob. Things didn’t matter that much. If he loved you, you knew it. He always said he was a rich man – he had everything he wanted and was “rich in family.”

 

Robert Dean Trump was born in Minturn, Colorado to Elsie and Earl Trump on November 17, 1932 – that’s according to the birth records. But according to his mother, he was Bob Dean Trump born December 2, 1932. Thus started his life – he never fit the mold. The youngest of seven children, he started hunting and fishing at an early age for survival. He always considered himself lucky to have grown up in a time and place where he could enjoy and appreciate nature’s wonders; running freely in the high elevations of Colorado.

 

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and had a distinguished 20-year career. He was part of an elite group, USAFSS/ESC, and was assigned to the National Security Agency (NSA). During his 20 years of service, he spent time in Japan, Turkey, the Philippines and stateside in Texas, Alaska and Washington D.C. Bob had a garden and favorite fishing spots wherever he moved. He was extremely patriotic and proud to have served in the protection of our great country.

 

Bob married Janie Moore in 1957 in Texas. They had four beautiful children who were enriched by their military travels. Upon retirement, Bob and family settled in Salem. He fulfilled a lifelong desire of obtaining a college degree when he graduated from Western Oregon State College in Monmouth with a BA in Psychology. He bartended and sold cars while attending school. Bob and Janie divorced in 1977. Bob went to work for ODOT in 1980 as a management analyst doing forms design. There Bob met and married Brenda Bonnett in 1985 and added another daughter to his brood. They enjoyed road trips to Colorado and Reno, bowling and hosting holidays. Bob retired from ODOT in 1995.

 

In retirement Bob spent his days working in his shop, yard and garden, helping his kids with projects, honing his cooking skills, fly fishing, playing poker with friends and at the casino and following the Mariners. He spent quality time with his beloved grandchildren, never missing a birthing or a first bath. He was always teaching them something. Bob was “Papa” to all, even those who were not related.

 

Bob died March 3, 2010 from complications following treatment for lung cancer. Bob was predeceased by his parents, brothers Mel, Gene, Lowell and Earl and sister Margie Casto. Bob is survived by his wife Brenda, daughters Melanie Trump and Mindy (Scott) Johnson of Salem and Valerie Laiho of Spokane, sons Jeff (Lori) and Bob (Trina) Trump of Salem, grandchildren Jeff, Amy, Rob, Andrew, Matthew and Ashley Trump of Salem, Max, Sawyer and Clayton Johnson of Salem, Erik Laiho of Seattle and Evan Laiho of Pullman, and sister Patsy Ginther of Salem.

 

A visitation will take place from 2:00 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, March 13 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, Salem. A memorial service will be held 10:00 am on Monday, March 15 at Morning Star Community Church in Salem. A private burial will take place at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.