Bobby Guinn

Bobby “Bob” Guinn was born November 26, 1952, in Madera, California, to M.O. and Clorando (Eppler) Guinn. He spent his early years in California until 1965, when at the age of 13, his family moved to Aumsville, Oregon, where they bought a farm. Bob took a job with the Stayton Canning Company and it was there, in 1974, that he met the love of his life, Nancy Isley. Bob and Nancy were married on September 27, 1976 in Salem, Oregon. They raised three daughters in Lyons, Oregon. Bob worked at Silver Mountain Christmas trees and then went on to work as a millwright at Linn Timber then Freres Lumber Company where he worked for over 23 years. While there he studied to be an electrician, earning his Journeyman at Linn Benton College and held an LME for many years as well. Bob had Native American ancestors and was very proud of his Cherokee Indian heritage. He was given the nickname “Bear”, and it was a fitting nickname as he embodied so many of the same traits. Just like a bear, Bob was very intelligent, affectionate, thoughtful, loyal, empathetic, social, joyful, playful, and peaceful. He had a strong personality, was fierce but not ferocious, and protective of his family and his home.Bob was tenacious, holding fast to the people and ideals that were dear to him. He had a huge heart and always put others ahead of himself. As a man of honesty and integrity, he always believed that a man’s word is his bond and a deal made on a handshake stood. He was a shrewd investor and believed that if you “keep your dollars straight” you would be more mindful of their value and where they went. As Bob got older developed a deep value for life, caring deeply for others, the environment, and animals. He was a nature lover and loved to be outdoors. He grew strawberries while at Freres, planted in 1992 until 2001 at the farm. He loved working the land and farming. He owned many dogs over the years, and two in particular his Akita Leia and German Shepherd Lakme (Bat), went everywhere with him on his many adventures and excursions. He saw life in a very spiritual way and had his own quiet relationship with God, although not an outwardly religious man, followed the Golden Rule. Bob was the kind of man who, if he found a wallet with a million dollars in it, would open to find out whose it was and return it without bothering the contents. He could be counted on and would frequently donate his time to anyone in need. Bob wouldn’t abandon a task or job until it was complete, never complaining about being imposed upon. He was a very generous man and never asked anything for himself. No matter what he did, Bob “took life by the horns”, excelling at everything he set his mind to. He worked hard always, whether at his job or on the family farm that was so dear to him. He loved his girls well and was a devoted husband to Nancy for 43 years. On January 11, 2020, after a short but valiant battle with cancer, Bob entered into eternal rest. He will be so deeply missed by those he leaves behind including his wife Nancy; daughters Tamara Evans, Jessica (Nick) Crapser, and Georgia Guinn; and grandchildren Seth Olson, Tirah Olson, Cole Evans, Hayden Evans, Jazmin Guinn, Max Crapser (in heaven), and Athena Crapser; siblings Mary Ann Dowty, Timothy Guinn, and Mark Guinn; and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Buddy Guinn, Helen Guinn, George Guinn, David Guinn, and Daniel Guinn.