Our Father Robert Walter Westergaard Robert was born in Silverton, Oregon on August 8th, 1950. The youngest of seven, he moved to California when he was a couple of years old yet he always returned to his Aunt Evelyns in the summer. Those summers were spent picking berries in the fields of Marion County. He also worked in the onion fields every summer and loved Willamette Valley, where he purchased his first 1956 Chevy before he could even drive-- these years formed a love of Oregon. After early retirement from AT&T as a telecommunications maintenance technician, he found his way back to the Valley with his wife and children. Our Father loved the outdoors, Oregon was his playground and the Molalla River was one of his favorite spots. He never tired of seeing the beautiful farmlands in every season. The rolling hills, fresh produce, fruit, and berries were his joy. Dad lived and walked an unapologetic life, he marched to the beat of his own drum and taught us how to stand up in the face of adversity and smile. He had empathy and generosity for all those around him, he found friendships in the least likely of people and honored those relationships above others. He was private and quiet in his ways, he did not expect nor want attention or reward. He also instilled a love of camping and nature in his grandchildren, he will be remembered every year by the annual trip to honor him. Robert passed quietly with his family beside him at 12:21 p.m. on December 25th, 2025, Christmas Day, at the Portland VA Hospital. His son Mathew, Daughters Jeanine & Olivia, Grandsons Oliver and Noah, Granddaughter Crystal, and former partner Karen surrounded him through his last moments. Dad was 74 years old when he passed from metastasized cancer. Robert is survived by his sons Dean, Matthew, Eliot, and Jacob; his daughters Olivia and Jeanine; and his brothers Raymond, Leroy, and Carlos. His grandchildren, Jacqueline, Crystal, Alea, Hayley, Preston, Oliver, Noah, Jayden, Kylo and Nolan, and great-grandchildren Niko and Lilian. He will be desperately missed.
