Robert "Bob" Peter Betschart

Robert “Bob” Peter Betschart was born in Bellflower, CA on January 16, 1940, the second of four children of their parents, Fritz and Marie. After the family moved to a dairy farm in Tillamook, OR for a time, they settled in Phoenix, OR, where he grew up with his sisters, Elizabeth and Edie, and brother, Jim. Bob met his wife to be, Joanne Battilega, through their mutual involvement in Young Christian Workers and they were married on May 16, 1964. After living briefly in Medford, OR, the couple moved to the farm of Joanne’s parents near Redland, OR, where they lived and raised their three children, Msgr. Joseph, Dina and Maryanne, until the farm was sold and they moved to Sandy, OR in 1981, where they have resided since.

Bob was a hard worker, a characteristic he passed to others, and spent much of his life working in the lumber industry as a truck driver, salesman and store manager at various lumber yards, all while also working on his father-in-law’s farm. After moving from the farm, he also started side businesses sharpening saw blades and making vent blocks for houses, which he continued as long as he was physically able.

Bob’s Catholic Faith was very important to him and he was active in his parish, first at St. Philip Benizi in Redland, then St. Michael’s in Sandy, putting his Faith into action in such activities as children’s religious education and youth groups, helping clean the church, Saturday night parish dinners and Bingo, weekly Eucharistic adoration, serving on the maintenance committee, mowing the parish lawn until he wasn’t physically able to do so anymore, and working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to serve the poor and those in need. He had a particular devotion to St. Joseph, in whom he had great trust and confidence, and prayed the rosary daily. He was also one of the founders of Oregon Right To Life.

Besides his Faith, family was central in Bob’s life, and he sacrificed and worked hard his whole life for them. He loved his wife, Joanne, constantly remarking how blessed he was to have her as his wife for almost 60 years, and he loved and was proud of their three children, their five grandchildren and their two great grandchildren. His love for family extended to his neighbor, and he was generous in his service to them, always willing to do anything for anyone at any time, asking nothing in return. He passed peacefully to the Lord on October 23, 2023. The impact of his life and generous service was felt far and wide and he was extremely grateful for his caregivers and all who helped him in life.

In the sure hope of the Resurrection, a Funeral Mass will be celebrated for his repose by his son, Msgr. Joseph Betschart, and parish pastor, Rev. Gregg Bronsema, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Sandy, at 11am on Monday, October 30^th, preceded by a Rosary at 10am, and followed by a reception in the parish hall. The Rite of Committal will follow at Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery at 3pm.

The family extends our gratitude to Bob’s caregivers, to those who assisted him over the years and to all for your kindnesses, condolences and prayers. In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations to the St. Michael’s St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Funeral arrangements provided by Gethsemani Funeral Home.