Obituaries & Tributes

Robert Paul Drullinger

Nov. 21, 1939 — Nov. 10, 2022

On the night of Nov. 10, 2022, Robert (Bob) Paul Drullinger was called home by the Lord. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born to Lowell and Greek Drullinger in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 21, 1939. 

Robert, or Bob as he was known, was a native and lifelong Oregonian, who lived in the Lorane community, which he loved, for 80 of his 82-plus years. He was an avid athlete and outdoorsman who loved his family. He was known to be a very hard worker with strong work ethics, never one to sit still, working hard his entire life to provide for his family. Those who knew him also knew he was a kind, caring, generous man, always offering a helping hand to those around him.

He could be, however, very stubborn and fiercely competitive. This was seen throughout his life in many ways including sports like six-man football and “ground and pound” basketball with a killer hook-shot. He was selected for and played in the Shriners football game of 1958 — something he was very proud of. 

He went through the Lorane schools, and was in the last class to graduate from Lorane High School. As a newlywed he and his wife, Connie Purdy, moved to Eugene, where they lived for two years, when Bob decided Eugene was just too big, so back to Lorane!

He worked in the woods at IP Mill in Noti, Ore. and a couple of mills in Eugene. For many years he did carpet and vinyl installation, having his own business at one point. In his later work years he did custodial work at Elmira School District and part time at Crow Applegate Lorane School District. In the mid ‘70s he and a handful of local Lorane residents started the Lorane Fire Department. Loving The LFD, he took classes to become certified as a firefighter and EMT 2D. He served as assistant fire chief at one point, and in his later years served many terms on the fire board.

He was an amateur photographer and a skilled and well-rounded outdoorsman. This meant you could find him out doing what he loved: camping, fishing, hunting, at a rendezvous, chopping firewood, or mowing the lawn on his riding lawn mower.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Charles and Don. He is survived by his wife Kathy; children Tami and Tim; stepchildren Dan and Sarah; and grandchildren Ryan, Bennett, and Lucas.

There will be a private burial for the family. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday Dec. 3, 2 p.m. at Lorane Christina Church, 80290 Old Lorane Road. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Bob’s name to Eugene Mission. Arrangements by Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.

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