Robert "Bob" Thayer

Remembering a Life Well Lived

The center of our world and family, Robert Dale Thayer, left us for Heaven as he passed away on March 13, 2026. He was a cherished friend, devoted family member, and a guiding light in his community. Bob touched countless lives with his kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit.

Born in Yakima, WA on August 17,1953 and raised in a farming family in such central Washington towns at Toppenish, Royal Slope, and Quincy, he knew the value of being surrounded by family and friends. He greeted everyone with a warm smile and was known for his exceptional sparkling blue eyes. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his passion for life, and the love he shared with all who knew him. Bob leaves behind a legacy of knowledge, compassion, and integrity.

Years ago, Bob bought a T-shirt in San Diego that said "Listen to Bob" on the front. His friends agreed that it was the best thing to do since with Bob's common-sense wisdom, one learned to "Listen to Bob".

He loved baseball, especially the Oakland Athletics – season tickets – during World Series times. He was so knowledgeable about baseball he knew what plays the manager would call before the announcers would describe that exact play.

With his master's degree in agriculture economics from Washington State University, he learned about transportation and shipping from the best in the field and in business. He was well respected by his colleagues throughout his career and still stayed in touch through social media. His latter work years was as pricing manager for Viking Freight then FedEx Freight in the San Jose, CA offices. Bob well understood transportation projects, and which would fail and why.

Bob was active in Neighborhood Watch and part of the development of the Neighborhood Watch Council with the Linn County Sheriff's Office. He was active in leadership roles in the county and a member of Fire Corp for several years. His activities have been recognized by the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

Bob loved to travel and see new sites. He'd explore a road or new place he'd never seen before. So many new places and stories shared as a "Road Warrior" to a new location. He was able to see again special friends who are like family in Norway in June, 2025. He was able to see several new places he had not visited before plus share wonderful Norwegian meals with those who mean so much to our family. Then it was on to Scotland to enjoy sights from prior visits to the country. He loved the Celtic Rock music of a Scottish group, Runrig, and would listen to their albums often.

When it came to the 40-acre farm in the Berlin Community outside Lebanon, he enjoyed his tractor, tree farming, gardening (grew the best corn in the area), and giving small tractor rides to friends and grandchildren. He was a farmer and man of the soil with a Renaissance soul too. There are too many wonderful memories that could be shared in his "Listen to Bob" life. "Bob was the best kind of man. There is never enough time with a man like that."

Bob's family includes his wife and kindred spirit, Vicki, sons David and Scott Thayer. Bob dearly loved his grandchildren – Nicolas, Ryan, and Jesse (David's boys) plus Vada and Victoria (Scott's girls). He would play card games, board games and outdoor games to spend time with them. He was the best of any Papa. He also leaves behind his brother, Jim, and Jim's wife, Kathy, and their two children, Kimberly and Mitch, along with his other sister-in-law, Janet Thayer and her children – Drew, Evan, Mark, and Lindsey with their families.

He is survived by his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Bob's memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, and he will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, Bob and Vicki have been supporters of EveryCat Health Foundation where a donation in his memory for cat health research or veterinary student scholarships would be honored. Contact for EveryCat Health Foundation is online, https://everycat.org/about/contact-us/. The donor care specialist is Alisa Salvaggio at (888)963-6946, Ext. 701, or 637 Wyckoff Ave, Suite 336, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.