Robert E. Butler

Dr. Robert E. “Bob” Butler, age 91, was surrounded by family as he passed away March 7, 2017 at his home in Canby, Oregon. He was born August 30, 1925 to Samuel and Leonie Butler of Oak Park, Illinois. He was the youngest of 6 children. He graduated from Oak Park High School, North Park College and Chicago College of Osteopathy. Bob married Mary E. (Laug) on February 14, 1951 in Oak Park, Illinois. Bob and Mary moved to Eugene, Oregon, in 1953 to begin his medical practice as a Board Certified Anesthesiologist. Bob and his young family moved to Portland in 1958, where he was a founding staff member of Eastmoreland General Hospital, serving there until 1990. He received the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation Founders Emeritus Award in 2003. In retirement Bob enjoyed ten years of very rewarding service teaching promising Indonesian and Kenyan nurses to qualify as nurse anesthetists. These skills increased the availability, safety and quality of care provided to thousands of patients. The program Bob established at the Kijabe Mission hospital in Kenya continues to be a model for training nurse anesthetists in East Africa. Bob often remarked, “Those were the best years of my professional life.” Bob enjoyed outdoor activities including skiing, biking, sailing and trips to the Oregon Coast. He won numerous awards in cycling at the Senior Olympics. His commitment as a follower of Jesus was an active hallmark of his life that Bob demonstrated through service in his church, including serving as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher, and by supporting missions throughout the world. After raising a family and enjoying his career in Portland, Bob and Mary moved to Canby in 2003. Bob is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Mary; his children, Michael (Susan), Connie Schmotzer (Jim), Dan (Barbara), and Bob; nine grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren. A family graveside service was held at Zion Memorial Cemetery shortly after his passing. All are invited to a Memorial Celebration at 11 AM Saturday, March 18, at Canby Evangelical Church, 339 SE Township Road, Canby, Oregon. Memorial donations are appreciated in furthering Bob’s support of medical missions (TEAM Medical Missions, PO Box 1986, Grapevine, TX 76099-1986) as well as their local church (Canby Evangelical Church, 339 SE Township Road, Canby, OR 97013). Revised 3.9.17 6:21 PM