Dr. Rodney Earl Orr

Silverton - Dr. Rodney Earl Orr, surrounded by the love of his immediate family, passed away peacefully at home in Silverton, Oregon on August 21, 2025 after a nearly two-year long battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 75 years old.

Throughout his adult life, Rod was known to say there are many difficult things that happen in life that you cannot control, but what you can control is how you respond to them. Even while facing a devastating diagnosis, he maintained his trademark attitude-practical, philosophical, and full of gratitude for what was, rather than what would not be. He reminded family and friends regularly that he had lived a rich and fulfilling life beyond his wildest dreams and harbored no regrets. He was completely at peace with his life and knowing this brought peace to those who loved him.

Rod was born April 7, 1950 in Portland, Oregon to Frances Elizabeth (née Westrom) and Robert Leon Orr and was raised in Gresham, Oregon, along with his sister and two brothers. He graduated from Gresham High School in 1968. His young life was marred at times by abuse, neglect, and extreme poverty and Rod often coped by imagining the secure and happy life he might create for himself one day. After being hospitalized as a young child and spending several days there alone, Rod was determined to be a doctor like the man who helped care for him. He dreamt also of having a farm, a family, and some horses-all of which he would later go on to achieve.

He received a Bachelor of Science from Western Washington University in 1972. That same year, he married his first wife, Beth Finnson of Bellingham, Washington and the couple relocated to Portland, Oregon. There, he attended the University of Oregon Medical School (later known as OHSU), from which he graduated in 1976. Shortly thereafter, he welcomed his first daughter, Rebekah, and then his second daughter Ashley in 1978, while completing his medical residency in Greeley, Colorado.

In 1979, Rod and his family moved to Silverton, Oregon. In 1980, he opened his family medicine practice, eventually growing the business to include family practice and urgent care clinics in both Silverton and Molalla, which he owned and operated for more than 40 years. He found deep purpose in caring for generations of patients and their families in their everyday moments and some of their most difficult challenges. He also loved mentoring others as they pursued their own careers in healthcare.

After seven years of partnership, in 1994, he married Shandra Greig of Creswell, Oregon. She was the love of his life and would remain his devoted partner in marriage and in their shared calling for practicing medicine for more than 30 years. Together they shared a zest for life and adventure that led them to the tops of mountains, deep into the ocean, around the world, and back home again, where they nurtured close and loving relationships with a large group of friends and family. Their marriage produced two more children-daughter Lindsey in 1998 and son Jason in 2000.

Rod was a proud and devoted father to his four children and loved experiencing and discovering life through and alongside them. He relished creating for his kids the stability and experiences he didn't have as a young boy-from daily rituals, to magical holidays, to international travel, to discovering sports and interests, and providing opportunities for higher education. But more than anything, he was a constant and comforting presence throughout each of their lives. He loved to use metaphors, stories, and endless repetition to impart to his children his most important values and life lessons-to serve others, to fight for those less fortunate, to stand up to bullies, to be a leader and make a difference in the world, to find meaningful work and do it well, to be informed and curious about the world, to give others the benefit of the doubt, to not sweat the small stuff, and most of all to nurture loving relationships with friends and family. Most recently he was delighted to welcome his first grandson, Caleb Ernesto.

Rod was endlessly curious and a man of many varied interests, hobbies, and passions throughout his life: Boy Scouts (in which he earned the rank of Eagle Scout), coin collecting, playing musical instruments and performing in musical theater, running (including completing multiple marathons and Hood to Coast Relay races), boating and water skiing, hiking and backpacking, camping, scuba diving, international travel, cooking, flying airplanes, skiing, coaching and supporting youth athletics, vegetable gardening, crossword puzzles, playing pinochle, reading and honing his bad dad jokes. He was an avid fan of Oregon Ducks athletics, particularly Oregon Football. He also had a decades-long passion for horses and horse-racing that would take him all across the country and as far away as Australia. He enjoyed tremendous success as an owner and breeder, with his horses placing in multiple graded stakes races and receiving multiple awards in both Oregon and Kentucky.

Rod was a member of First Christian Church in Silverton for nearly 40 years, including as a deacon and elder. He also served as President of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, as a volunteer physician for Silverton High School Athletics, and coached J.V. Girls Softball from 2013-2016. He received awards from both the Silverton High School Alumni Association and the Silver Falls School District for his support of and contributions to Silverton students.

Rod is survived, forever cherished, and celebrated by his wife Shandra Greig; daughter Rebekah Orr (Roy Scheer); daughter Ashley Graves (Patrick Graves); daughter Lindsey Carcamo (David Carcamo); son Jason Orr; grandson Caleb Carcamo; his brothers Richard Orr and Randy Orr (Michelle Orr); sister-in-law Stephanie Polley (Steve Polley); parents-in-law Karen and Harold Greig ; eleven nieces and nephews: Kim, K'Lynn, Kriston, Kurt, Jeff, Cari, Preston, Lauren, Leeden, Kelli, and Bryant, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. He is also survived and missed by his faithful beagle companion, Lilly. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Sandra Harrison and brother-in-law David Harrison, his half-sister Patricia Foster, and his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Rosey.

The family encourages donations in lieu of flowers to the Travis and Beverly Cross Guest Housing Center via the Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation,(note in comments section your desire to allocate your gift to the Guest Housing Center); Providence Foundations of Oregon Neuro-Oncology Research, or Silverton Area Community Aid.