The Bob Greenley story: The last year (Part 10)

By the fall of 1969 our family life had changed dramatically. Grandpa Greenley had died In October, Dale was in the army, serving in Korea. Ross had just joined the Navy. And Susie was in Eugene, working at Ford's Restaurant and going to school. One significant event was kept a secret for about 20 years.

Susie came home in the fall to tell Mom and Dad she was pregnant. Here is the entry from her diary:

Susie and Marianne
October 1969

She was about 4 1/2 months pregnant when this picture was taken in October, on the day of our Grandfather's funeral. Susie's friend Brenda Carr helped her arrange for her to live with friends in Las Vegas, Nevada, She left for Las Vegas the first week of December. 

As a family we were told Susie wanted to focus on her art while spending time with friends in Las Vegas.  She gave birth to a baby boy on February 27, 1970. (Two days after our father's 49th birthday). She would give him up for adoption.  In her bible, I found a note in which she had written the name Robert Allen Greenley with his birth date.

Susie was killed in a car accident just four years later in December of 1974. We didn't discover of her son's existence for several years as mom continued to honor the promise she had made, to keep Susie's secret.

In 2018, Susie's son found us. He had his DNA done with Ancestry - as I had done - and he reached out via email. Receiving that email ranks as one of highlights of my life.

Kevin Pelton - Susie's son

His name is Kevin Pelton, and he lives in Shreveport, Louisiana. He has a son, Cameron. 

The first thing that struck us was the resemblance to our father. When our mom met him one of her first comments was, "You look like Bob, but you have brown eyes instead of blue" (Mom's mind was in decline by this time, so that flash of awareness was exceptional.) 

He works in construction as a paint contractor, so does similar work as our dad. In Kevin, we felt like we had been given a huge gift delivered by our father and our sister.

Meanwhile, back in 1969, Changes Continue

The fall and winter of 1969 - 1970 found more changes in our lives. Dad had gotten a big contract to do the finishing work on a new motel on the coast. He would spend the work week on the coast, and come home for the weekends. So it was just Mom, Lance (age 8) and me (12). 

We had a scare right before Christmas. Mom got up in the morning, as usual, went out to get the newspaper. She slipped on the ice, and fell and hit her head. She was able to get up and go to my room to wake me up. She told me she had fallen. I could tell there was something seriously wrong. I ran to a neighbor's house to get help (Dad was at the coast working). I don't remember the particulars after that - I do remember she had a spinal tap done - and she was horribly sick after that. But she recovered without last ill effects.

The spring and summer of 1970 found our lives shifting again. Susie returned to Oregon in March, and started back to college in Eugene. This time full time, so she could finish her degree. In July, Dale was discharged from the army, and was making plans to return to Corvallis to finish his degree. Ross was in the navy, stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Dad had finished his work at the coast.

Marianne, Lance, Kathy, Tom, Russell
Spring Vacation - 1970

 The four of us (Dad, Mom, Lance and myself) did a lot of traveling that spring and early summer. Spring Vacation we went to see Uncle Bill and Aunt Lois in Milton-Freewater, Oregon ... and had fun with our cousins Russell, Kathy and Tom. We also went to Montague to visit Uncle Everett and Aunt Mary with their four boys, Alan, Rex, Gordie, and Jimmy.

In June, we went to Crater Lake. Then another trip we visited the lava beds at Dee Wright Observatory in central Oregon. And of of course, another trip to the coast.  We still lived in Oregon after all. But things were about to change. 

Dee Wright Observatory - Mom and Dad

Dee Wright Observatory - Marianne and Lance

Dee Wright Observatory - Dad and Lance 
 

Mom, Dad, Lance - somewhere at the coast

Lance, Dad, Marianne - somewhere at the coast

Lance at Crater Lake

Changes can sneak up on us, and I'm sure we missed some of the earlier, smaller signs. One evening that I'll never forget, Dad and I were home alone, watching TV. He was smoking a cigarette. I noticed that the ash had fallen, and his chair was burning. But I couldn't get him to respond to the smoldering fabric. It was all I could do to get him to stand up so I could put the fire out. When I got close to him, he smelled bad -- and I said he should go take a shower. Which he did ... but he went into the shower, and then didn't get out. I was frantic. I waited until Mom got to tell her to get Dad out of the shower.

This was in the beginning of August, when Mom was working at the Douglas County Fairgrounds as the Office Manager. With the fair coming up, she was working 12+ hour days.  I remember her on the phone the next morning, trying to get the doctor to see dad right away. They wouldn't see him for another week.

He was finally seen by the doctor August 15th, they immediately took him by ambulance to Eugene, where he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery that same day, hoping they could get the tumor out. When they opened him up, they realized it had spread too far, and they just closed him back up. There was nothing they could do. He stayed in the Eugene hospital for a while, but he was eventually moved to the Roseburg hospital. He never came back home. He died October 19th. 

Lance (age 2) helping Dad mechanic

He was a gregarious, friendly man. Because of his easy going nature, he made a friend in everyone he met. His siblings all adored him. His children grieve his death 50 years later. He valued family - and showed that every day. He always wanted his kids around and tried to include us into his world ... whether that was showing us his route when truck driving, tagging along to a construction site, enjoying the outdoors or working on the jeep.

His legacy lives on in our growing family. Writing about him has been my gift to his grandchildren, Kevin Pelton, Karl Greenley, Ray Greenley, Paige Greenley, Dodge Greenley and Autumn Greenley.

AND his great grandchildren - in which he currently has 11 1/2 (The 12th will be born in July - hope Paige and Ryan don't mind me announcing that information!)

His Great Grandchildren (by their parents)

Kevin Pelton: one son, Cameron

Karl Greenley: two sons: Liam and Ethan

Ray Greenley: 5 sons and 2 daughters: Jonathan, James, Cole, Guinevere, Miles, Logan, Leianna Susan.

Paige Greenley: one son: Ralph Everett AND future baby due in July

Paige and Ryan's wedding: 
Autumn, Karl, Ryan, Paige, Dodge, Ray

Kevin and Cameron

Missy, Leianna, James, Logan, Guinevere, Cole, Miles, Jonathan, Ray

Karl, Ethan, Liam, Ross

Ralph Greenley

Bob Greenley: his love of the outdoors (Part 9)

Our Dad loved the outdoors. Every opportunity was taking us (or himself) up the mountain, down the river, or anyplace else he could enjoy the beauty of Oregon.

Deer Hunting

Dad with his deer

Deer hunting was a big passion.  Every fall he would take a week, usually traveling to Eastern Oregon. When I smell venison, it evokes really strong memories of my dad. I remember going as a family at least once.  The following pictures are from a trip with a large group of friends, including his brother, Everett.  He always came home with his deer!

Uncle Everett

This picture includes the jeep. Dad is sitting on the back bumper

They made the newspaper!  Fall of 1955

Scouting

Ross and Dale (ca 1964)

As a family, we were very involved with Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls.  Both Dale and Ross were part of Boy Scout Troop 4.  Though he was not the Scoutmaster, Dad was always heavily involved. Dad was always part of camping trips and other activities. Dale recently told me he often despaired at Dad's heavy involvement, but his friends always enjoyed it.  Susie was always part of Camp Fire.  Mom was a leader -- and her involvement led to her being president of the Camp Fire Council in 1964. There was a huge community of parents and kids who were part of our lives.  

Ross (ca 1967)

Brother Ross, reached out to a fellow Boy Scout from those days, and he gifted us with his memories of our dad.

“Bob Greenley was a superb assistant scoutmaster to Roseburg's Troop 4 in the early-mid 1960's. He loved the outdoors and shared his enthusiasm with young scouts like myself. We only got 'lost' once, on a hill during a rainstorm, but his calm demeanor kept us from panicking. I always imagined him to be a professional forester, as he shared all those positive traits.” (from Carl Troy)

In search of Religion

I am not sure what led Mom and Dad to start investigating churches to attend in the middle 1960s.  Mom's background was Lutheran, but she also had strong Mormon roots from her mother.  I've already discussed Dad's history with the Seventh Day Adventist church.  I remember them going to an evening event at the SDA church, and coming home appalled at what they heard.  Mom read a book about Mormonism - and couldn't figure out WHY anyone would belong to such a church. 

The Oregonian ran a series of articles about the significant churches and religious groups and their belief systems.  Mom and Dad were intrigued by the Unitarians.  They found there was a Unitarian Fellowship meeting near us.  Mom and Dad took Lance and I to the services.  I remember going to "Sunday school".  In these classes we learned about the major religions of the world.  Unitarians don't tell members what to believe.  They believe in the journey of discovering your personal faith.  It is a church that involves itself in many social justice causes.  When Dad got sick, and needed immediate surgery (He was taken to Eugene) in August of 1970, it was church members who took Lance and I in while Mom was in Eugene.  

Tomorrow's post will focus on the birth of his first grandchild, and the last year of his life.

The Bob Greenley story: the 1960s and our BIG trip (Part 8)

(I am posting this on my father's 100th birthday - Feb. 25. 2021.  This series of posts are for his grandchildren - who never got the pleasure of knowing him.  After this post, there will be two more.)

The BIG trip

June of 1964 - the end of our "Big" trip - at Uncle Bill and Aunt Lois's home in Spangle, Washington

Dale and Lance - Yellowstone
Dale caught a fish!

In 1964, Mom and Dad decided we needed to take a trip. Dale was going to be a senior, and it would be difficult to travel as a family once he was off to college. So they piled us all in a station wagon, pulling a rented trailer. 

We started traveling south to Ukiah, California, to see Aunt Bette and Uncle Ernie. Then we went to San Francisco (I remember being in Chinatown). From there we traveled across Nevada to Colorado, then up to Casper, Wyoming, to visit with dad's Uncle Joe and Aunt Sarah. 

We then went to Yellowstone. Dale wanted desperately to go fishing - so Dad dropped him off while we went sightseeing. I remember seeing Old Faithful. From Yellowstone, we went to Spangle, Washington, where Uncle Bill and Lois were living at the time. We did the trip in 10 days.  Yes, my dad continued his truck driving habit of driving long miles before agreeing to stop. 

Memories tend to become selective over time, but traveling in the car that distance had to be challenging. Dale claimed the back seat for himself. Susie, Ross and I "shared" the middle seat - but in the battle for a window seat, you can guess who always came in third. Lance was in the front between Mom and Dad. Even with the challenges, we all have fond memories of that trip.

Dad's parents: Grandma and Grandpa Greenley

By 1966, Dad's mom, Grandma Greenley, was failing. She had battled emphysema for years. (Interesting note - she never smoked. They don't know why she got it. But when I was doing my genealogy work, I discovered that her brother Edwin died as a result of asthma, and her brother Laurence died as a result of tuberculosis. I am not sure if there is a real connection - but interesting they all had diseases related to the lungs).

Grandma and Grandpa moved into the first house Dad built, known as the Little Pink House August of 1966. Grandma and Grandpa were thrilled to move in and be up the street from us. All of dad's siblings came to town to help move them into their new place. In her diary, Grandma declared that day the happiest in her life

My grandparents had a automatic washer and dryer for the first time. Grandpa was doing the washing because Grandma was so weak, but she comments how easy life was with a washer and dryer. Grandma documents that one of us stopped to visit her almost every day -- bringing her much joy. She is excited to have Susie come help her with housework. She called her "my Susie Jewel."

Me (Marianne) stopping at Grandma and
Grandpa's house - first day of school 1967

Barbara (Mom), Everett, Mary, Bette, Bob (behind
Bette), Ernie, Lela, Duane, Lois

Grandma lived there for just under a year, until she died in April 1967. Grandpa continued living in the
house until his death in October 1969. I walked by their house going to school every day. I stopped often, because Grandpa always gave me a bowl of ice cream. I had it figured how many times a week I could stop before I would be pushing my luck on the ice cream.

These pictures show my Dad's siblings AND their spouses the day of Grandpa Greenley's funeral - the last time they would all be together. My Dad died just one year later. Evidently, there was nobody to take the picture so Uncle Bill took the first picture, then switched places with Uncle Everett.

Barbara, Bill, Mary, Bob, Ernie, Lela, Bette, Duane, Lois

There will be two more posts about my dad - the next one will focus on his love of the outdoors - hunting and scouting.  The last post will focus on the last year of his life.  

The Bob Greenley story: His work (Part 7)

Dad with his truck (early 1950s)

Dad drove truck for about 15 years. Started with Consolidated Freightways, then worked for Hudson House. (Side note- Joe's (my husband) dad also
worked for Consolidated Freightways during the same time period. He was out of Portland, and drove mostly long haul routes). Dad drove to the coast two or three times a week. It wasn't uncommon for him to pile us all in the car on a Sunday morning, take us over his route, and introduce us to people he met while working.  We would end up at Shore Acres Park near Coos Bay or Honeyman Park near Florence.

Dad, Dale, Susie, Ross, Mom at Honeyman Park - 1954

Dale, Marianne, Susie, Ross at Honeyman Park - 1960

While working as a truck driver Dad also built houses. It is amazing to me that he was able to work a full time job, have a family, and built houses in his spare time. After finishing the first house, he built a duplex. I believe they rented those units. He then built his 2nd house for his family. He took the risk of quitting his job in 1960, and starting his new business as a full time building contractor.

One of Dad's houses - built in mid-1960s.
Built on Greenley St. in Roseburg.

Grandma Greenley, Dad, Marianne 

My Uncle Everett once told me that my dad had a plan. Like most plans, the final step was to be wealthy. Dad started his plan by buying property.  In the 50s and 60s, land was cheap, and he bought land.  The downside of owning a lot of land is that until you develop it, it costs more than it returns. 

Mom kept the books.  I remember her being upset because more money was going out than coming in.  With a family to take care of, she needed the security of a regular income, and having money to pay the bills.  She was so uncomfortable with not having a regular income, she went to work in 1964. 

And they did struggle.  Money was tight. In 1964 he remodeled our kitchen, and added a dishwasher.  We had the first dishwasher in the neighborhood.  I once told Mom that I despaired of always wanting the newest and latest of everything.  (She was conservative when spending money).  She laughed, and said "Your dad was the same way, he always wanted the newest "toy".

The back side of our house
we moved into in 1966.

In 1966, push came to shove, financially speaking. Bob had bought several lots down the street from our
house. He had built two houses, and was working on a third when he ran out of money. The newest house was the biggest yet, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The only loan he could get was a VA loan - and then only if the new house were his primary residence. So we moved down the street. Mom was upset. She loved her house with the remodeled kitchen and double oven. 

 As kids, we were disappointed to lose our wonderful climbing trees. We had a huge cherry tree that was perfect for climbing, plus apple and walnut trees remaining from past years when the area was an orchard. The new house had NO trees. BUT, the new house did mean Lance and I got our own bedrooms. AND it had central gas heating- no more looking for a warm place to change clothes. And also exciting, wall-to-wall carpeting.  (We had very cold tile for flooring in our previous house). 

By 1968, finances were improving. We had money to spend. My dad bought me a flute so I could participate in band, Lance got a new bike.  A new COLOR TV was an exciting purchase.  We went out to dinner on Friday nights (granted, it was usually the buffet restaurant (similar to King's Table), but still, a night out. By this time, it was usually just Lance and me at home.

Our Homes

Yes, we lived in three different houses on the same street.  Only the first house (we called it the Pink House) faced Bradford.  The second house faced Broccoli. (On the corner of Bradford and Broccoli) The third house was on the corner of Bradford and Carroll Ct. 

The Jeep

Susie drew this picture of the jeep

Susie dubbed the Jeep "Gracie," (which aggravates Dale to this day). According to my brother Ross, it was a 1951 Willys Overland. Dad had a mechanic friend squeeze a chevy 265 V-8 with 4 barrel carburetor under the hood.

Dale, Susie and Ross used The Jeep  as their transportation as teenagers.  The jeep had personality - and it could be persnickety. According to Dad, Susie had the best skill at coaxing it to behave. She took it to Eugene when she first moved. I remember dad taking Lance and I to the foothills of the Coast Range to do some fun "4-wheeling". The Jeep calls up fond memories to this day.

Dale and Susie in front of the jeep

Bob Greenley - his siblings and a plethora of cousins (Part 6)

Dad and his siblings - Bob, Bette, Bill, Lela, Everett

Dad was always close to his siblings.  He was the big brother beloved by all.  Ultimately, Real Life provided impetus to leave Roseburg, and while dad stayed, his brothers and sisters ended up scattered throughout the region..  The Greenley siblings were blessed with children - Eighteen in all. There was a particular baby boon between July of 1956 - May of 1958 in which six cousins were born. Despite the distances between Dad and his siblings - they continued to gather together regularly. I am forever grateful for their efforts to stay connected. Some of my fondest memories are when we gathered with aunts and uncles and cousins.

Dale, Mom, Susie, Ross, Debbie,
Aunt Bette and David - Ukiah, CA Summer 1957

Sister Bette moved to Ukiah, California, with a friend, for a fun adventure. She married Ernie Hatton, and raised her family there - they had three children, Debbie, David and Don.

Ukiah, California ca.1960 Back row: Ross, Susie, Dale
front row, David, Donnie, Mariane (Debbie in front of Dale)

This picture is a visit we made to Ukiah in the summer of 1957. In this picture both Mom and Aunt Bette were pregnant. Donald and I were born the following September.

Marianne, Russell, Tom, Kathleen, Lance 
1965, Roseburg, Oregon

Dad’s Brother Bill moved to Walla Walla, Washington to go to college.  He got his teaching degree and became an  Industrial Arts  teacher - he taught mechanics, welding, etc in a Seventh Day Adventist academy (he was the only sibling to stay with the church).  He married Lois in 1951, and raised their three children (Russell, Kathleen, Tom) near Walla Walla

Wayne, Ross, Pat, Susie, Dale, Wilma - Sept. 1956

Sister Lela, married twice, first to Austin Kelley (they had one child, Pat, the oldest grandchild), then she married Duane Jones in 1949. Their life was nomadic, always in search of better jobs.  They did live across the street from us in the 1950s for a couple of years.  Their children Pat, Wayne and Wilma, were of similar age to Dale, Susie and Ross.  Wilma told me recently she felt like she had a sister in Susie. And I know Ross felt the same about Wayne. They eventually landed in Yreka, California (near where brother Everett was raising his family).

Gordie, Alan, Jimmy, Marianne, Lance, Rex
1968 in Montague (Mt. Shasta to the left of Gordie)

After Everett married in 1956, he and Mary moved to Montague, California for work.  This was very
disappointing for dad, who really wanted Everett to stay in Roseburg and work with him and help grow the homebuilding business.  Everett and Mary had four boys - Alan, Rex, Gordon, Jim. We lost Rex along the way in a boating accident while duck hunting November of 1973.  Alan, Gordie and Jimmy still live in the Montague area and remain close.

Because everyone considered Roseburg their hometown, and we were fortunate to all hold a special place in each others' lives.  We regularly went to Montague, California, to visit Uncle Everett and Aunt Mary.  Uncle Bill and Aunt Lois and family came to Roseburg often, and we would go to Walla Walla to visit.  Aunt Lela and Uncle Duane were a regular presence also.  Aunt Bette and Uncle Ernie lived the farthest away, and I only remember two trips to go see them. But there were phone calls and letters that help create and continue the relationships.

This picture is perhaps the biggest gathering of the cousins we had during the 1960s. I believe this is during the summer of 1966,  when our grandparents moved into the house up the street from us (Into the first house dad had built, which we owned as a rental).  

Front row: Russell, Marianne, Susie, Lance, Mom, Uncle Bill

2nd row: Aunt Bette, Wilma, Uncle Everett, Aunt Lela (red hair), Uncle Duane

3rd row: Wayne, Dad (peeking over Everett's shoulder), Ross (seen behind Susie and Lela)

The Bob Greenley story - The Family Grows (Part 5)

This continues the story of my father, Bob Greenley (1921 - 1970). These posts are a gift to his grandchildren, hoping they will learn about a grandfather they never knew. 

Susie and Ross - summer of 52

Dale Robert was born Dec. 23, 1946, Susan "Susie" Barbara was born Oct. 9, 1948, and Ross Carl was born June 29, 1950, Mom always said they were spaced apart perfectly -- she never had two in diapers at the same time. Dale and Ross recall fondly the pleasures of being a kid at that particular time -- a neighborhood filled with playmates, and freedom to explore hundreds of places within bike distance.

Bob and Barbara, Susie, Dale, Ross-
taken in 1955 at Uncle Bill's college graduation in Walla Walla

The original  house dad built for his family was small, with one bedroom and a large closet.  As the family grew, he filled the closet with bunk beds and a crib.  Then in 1955, Dad started building a new house on the lot next door. This house seemed huge in comparison -- three bedrooms!  His younger brother, Everett was home from the Navy, and pitched in on this one.

Our 2nd house on Broccoli - 1954

June of 1956 - Everett and Mary's wedding
(Mason, Ruby, Everett, Mary, Ansel, Mary

The new house was finished in time for Everett to marry Mary there in June 1956. 

(Another side note -- 3 generations of Greenley men married Marys. Dad's grandmother was a Mary, His mother was a Mary, and his brother married a Mary. My name Marianne is a nod to those Marys).

Marianne Elise (that’s me!) was born Sept. 5, 1957. My older siblings were 10, 9, and 7 years old -- so you can imagine the spoiling that went on. Lance Richard was born 3 1/2 years later March 1, 1961. About that time, Dad decided the "big" house needed more room, so he built two more bedrooms and a bathroom over the garage. Ross and Dale moved into those bedrooms. Susie had her own bedroom, Lance and I shared a room. I remember this house didn't have any central heating.  I would gather up my clothes for the day and dress in front of the heater in the living room.

Ross, Susie, Dale, Marianne, Lance (being held by Susie)

Our lives will change significantly in the 1960s - Dad quits his truck driving job to devout his energy to building houses.  More to come in the next episode of the Life of Bob Greenley.