Salem - Robert "Bob" Donovan, 85, passed away May 22, 2010 due to complications from Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia. Born in Oregon City, Oregon; Bob graduated from West Linn High School in 1942. He attended Willamette University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1948 and Masters Degree in Education in 1949. As a student at Willamette, he was involved in track & field, football and was selected a Little All American Football Player. Bob also participated in the Navy V-12 program offered at Willamette University. He was commissioned in 1944 and served until 1946. Bob later re-enlisted and retired in 1951.
In 1948, he married his college sweetheart Emma Lou East. They settled in Taft, Oregon where Bob taught and coached for several years. After returning to Salem in 1954, he taught and coached at Parrish Jr. High school. In 1958, he became Assistant Principal at Waldo Jr High School and in 1970 became Principal of Leslie Jr. High School until retirement in 1982. Bob loved his career and being involved with his family, friends and service to his community. In his "spare time" he enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, golf, gardening, and refereed football for 25 years. "Emmy" passed away in 1995 after 48 years of marriage. Bob then married his wife's high school classmate and friend, Jean Carkin Sanesi. They spent many wonderful years together sharing their interest in golf, family, friends and service.
Bob volunteered tirelessly, serving in many capacities for many organizations such as the Salem Football and Basketball Associations, Salem Retired Coaches Association, Salem Administrators Association, The Red Cross Board, East Salem Rotary Club, Shriner's Hospital for Children Foundation, Special Olympics, Willamette Alumni Board of Directors, Salem City Club, The Boy's and Girl's Club of Salem, Garten Foundaton, Salem Senior Center, Master Gardeners, Willamette Relays from 1955-98, and the McCullough Baseball School. Bob was a Master Mason, Shriner and involved in Scottish Rite.
Bob achievements were honored with many awards which include receiving the City's Willard Marshall Special Citizen Award,1994; Distinguished Service Award from the Salem Chamber of Commerce, 1994; The Distinguished Service Award from the Salem Senior Center, 1994; Distinguished Alumni Citation from Willamette University,1997; the Outstanding Citizenship award from Salem City Club, 1997; and the Leslie J. Sparks Medallion, from Willamette University, 1999.
Bob is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Barbara (Ken) Sahli, Bill (Barbara) Donovan, 5 grandchildren, 2 great granddaughters and Jean's children Nelson (Ann) Sanesi, Norman (Kelly) Sanesi, Nancy (Mike) Fitzpatrick, JoAnn Sanesi, and their families. He is preceded in death by his wife Emma Lou, daughter Elizabeth, sister Ann Aldrich and brother Richard "Dick" Donovan.
Contributions can be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, Oregon 97201 or to the Boy's and Girl's club of Salem, 1395 Summer St. N.E. Salem Oregon 97303.
Memorial Services will be held at 2 pm June 1, 2010 at Salem Vineyard Church 4750 Salem-Dallas Highway Salem, Oregon 97304 (503)-363-3510; Private Interment will be at Belcrest Memorial Park; Arrangements by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service 605 Commercial St. SE Salem, Oregon.