Bob Hope

1924 - 2015

March 12, 1924 -

July 27, 2015

Our wonderful father, Bob Hope, passed away on July 27, 2015. He lived his life in Oregon, but traveled the world. Born at home in Bend, to Ralph A. and Francis O. Hope, known to many as Pop and Nonnie, he was the youngest of four children. Their house is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Homes for the City of Bend. His family would later move to Eugene and settle in the Santa Clara area. Dad lived in Eugene for a total of 81 years. During his school years, dad had a paper route after school. He rode his single speed bike nearly 15 miles each day to deliver his papers. He graduated from Eugene High, attended the University of Oregon, and was later drafted into the Navy during WWII. After four years of service, he returned to work as a sales representative for Boyd Coffee.

In 1949, the Hope Family purchased Oakway Golf Course on Cal Young Road. In order to build a driving range, a parcel of farmland was purchased from Eugene pioneers, Cal and Grace Young, who owned the adjacent property. This was the beginning of a friendship with Cal and Grace, as well as a long, successful, and enjoyable career in the golf industry for the Hope families.

On a blind date in 1951, Dad was introduced to a dental hygienist named Mildred Carlson. After a brief three-month courtship, they were married in February 1952, much to the chagrin and disbelief of both sets of parents. Together Bob and Millie raised three daughters, Sabrina, Cynthia, Christy, and celebrated 56 years of marriage.

Dad often said he had the best job because the people who came to his place of work were always in a good mood. Dad became an avid golfer and played each Friday with his regular foursome at various courses around the state. In the 1970s, because of his famous name and connection to golf, it was common for him to be surrounded by golfers once they learned that Bob Hope was about to tee off. Dad also received many letters of appreciation from servicemen, tucked into the packaging slips for golf clubs and golf shirts ordered for the Oakway Pro Shop, thanking him for entertaining the troops overseas. It's not everyone who can say their father, uncle, brother, husband, friend, is Bob Hope.

Our parents were members of Emerald of Baptist Church during 'the Camelot years' under the ministry of Jack and Bev Kiekel, and Marv and Betty Friesen. Many lasting family friendships were forged at this church and we are ever so grateful to have been a part of this history.

Dad loved to attend Sheldon High School football and basketball games. He could always be found sitting at center court, or at the 50 yard line at Autzen Stadium, high up in the bleechers. This was his favorite place to people watch, and to embarrass his daughters and nieces by pulling out his white handkerchief and waving it at us with loving gusto for all to see. Thanks for the memories Big D!

He was a playful, loving, and kind man, who enjoyed tell ghost stories at the family cabin on Munsel Lake near Florence, Oregon. Joking around with golfers and family made his day. Bike rides were never for exercise but merely a means for spending time together with his daughters and grandchildren?and we all knew that 'going for a bike ride' was code for 'going to Dairy Queen'.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Oakway Golf Course on Saturday, August 22, beginning at 1:00 for family, friends, and golfers who have come to know, love, and tolerate our father. He is survived by daughters Christy Hope (Bruce Meek), Cynthia Hope (Kent Young), Sabrina Daniel (Bob Daniel); grandchildren Brent, Kirsten, Eric, Anders, Tobias, James, and four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and extended family.