Robert Keith Erne went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, after a six-month battle with complications from bladder cancer. He was 86 years young.

Known as Bob, Bobby, or by his self-proclaimed nickname, SOB — “Sweet Old Bob” — he was born December 18, 1939, in Orofino, Idaho, to Kenneth and Lillian (Welch) Erne. He was the fourth of five children. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to the Springfield, Oregon area, where Bob would make his home for the rest of his life. He is survived by three of his siblings: Donald Erne (Wilma), Loretta Manning (Dave), and Sherri Cleland (Terry). The oldest sibling, Kenneth “Bud” Erne passed away in 2001.

Bob met the love of his life, Laura June Craig, in 1969, and they were married on August 5, 1970. Together they shared 49 years of marriage until Laura’s death on July 15, 2019, less than three weeks shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. Together, Bob and Laura built a rock-solid foundation of love, marriage, and family.

They were the proud and adoring parents of a very energetic and boisterous blended family of five: Jan Barbera (Leo), James Erne (Karen), Lisa Erne (Peter), Scot Erne, and their youngest son, Craig Erne, born June 5, 1971.

Bob was also the very proud Papa of seven grandchildren: Joshua Jonas, Allicia Rubino, Megan Erne, Nathan Erne, Austin Barbera, Alec Barbera, and Abbey Barbera; and one great-grandchild, Jacob Rubino. “Uncle Bob” is also survived by dozens of adoring nieces and nephews, many of whom live locally and were fortunate to spend time with and truly enjoy Uncle Bob during his “fourth quarter” years.

Bob graduated from Springfield High School in 1958. His photograph can still be found in the school gymnasium’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of Springfield High School’s state championship wrestling team during his senior year. After high school, Bob proudly served four years in the United States Coast Guard and while stationed in Seattle, he met and married his first wife: Betty Lee Fairbanks in 1961. Their three children are Jan, Lisa & Scot.

Bob spent more than 50 years working in the lumber and timber industry. He began as a welder, helping build many of the iconic Northwest sawmill burners throughout Oregon and Northern California, and eventually worked his way through the ranks to become a successful project manager.

He was admired and respected by his coworkers, and the young men who worked under him still share epic tales of Bob’s tremendous work ethic — usually followed by equally epic stories of how hard he played once the work was done.

Bob began his career working alongside his father and brother Don at Erne Steel Contractors, followed by Carothers Sheet Metal Company, and ultimately spent more than 26 years with Western Pneumatics, Inc. Even retirement couldn’t quite keep Bob away from work. He continued working part-time at Western Pneumatics until someone finally had to tell him, “It really is time for you to retire, Bob.”

Bob was a true Oregonian who loved the great outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, but his greatest outdoor passion was boating and water skiing. Bob taught all of his children to water ski before some of them even knew how to ride a two-wheel bicycle. The family’s water-skiing and camping adventures created some of their greatest memories — and even better stories. Bob proudly continued water skiing until age 70, when his first knee replacement finally convinced him it might be time to hang up the skis.

Next to his family, Bob’s other great passion was his beloved Oregon Ducks. Football came first, of course, but in his later years, both men’s and women’s basketball became must-watch television — and often must-rewatch television once Bob figured out how to stream it.

If you never experienced a Duck tailgate with Bob, you truly missed out. If you did, chances are you have a story you’ll hold onto forever.

It would be fair to proclaim that Bob was a party animal. He rarely missed a social gathering and was always willing to host a party whenever a venue was needed. He loved people, laughter, good stories, family gatherings, and simply being part of whatever was going on.

To say Bob will be missed is an understatement.

He worked hard. He played hard. He loved his family fiercely. He lived a long and full life on his own terms, surrounded by people who loved him.

And anyone who had the good fortune to know Bob — Bobby, Dad, Papa, Uncle Bob, or simply “Sweet Old Bob” — will have a story to tell, a memory to treasure, and a reason to smile whenever they think of him.

He shall be fondly remembered by each and every person whose life he touched.