Robert Wayne Challis

Robert Wayne “Bob” Challis passed away on Thursday, January 18th, 2024, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, OR. Carol Jean (Anderson) the love of his life and wife of 61 years was by his side when he died. He was 83. Bob was born on October 30, 1940, to Carl William and Velma Louise Challis (Clark) in Aurora, IL. He loved his parents and his brother, Bill, dearly. He often spoke of his happy childhood memories. Among them were picking asparagus on the family farm, learning to drive his grandfather’s old truck at the young age of 7, and the many, family summer vacation road trips around the country. Bob graduated from Oswego High School in Oswego, IL in 1958. He then attended Cornell College at Mt. Vernon Iowa. In 1973 he graduated Cum Laude majoring in Economics and Computer Science from Aurora College (University). He helped install the college’s first computer system. Bob was proud of the fact that his first job following graduation was with Bache, Halsey, Stuart at the Board of Trade Building in Chicago where he commuted daily by train from Aurora. He was the Manager of Computer Processing for the Trades market. Bob and Carol met in 1960 and upon their first date, Carol introduced Bob to her parents as “Bob Jones.” After leaving the house and several blocks later, He corrected her. It was a source of frequent laughs as he never let her forget it! They later married on December 22nd of 1962. His special interests included camping, hunting, fishing, and raising Alaskan Malamutes for over 50 years. Bob was especially adept at fixing things and solving problems. He also enjoyed learning to play the guitar at the Olde Towne School of Folk Music in Chicago where Bob and Carol also attended many musical events in the 1960s. Prior to his college years, Bob enlisted in United States Army in 1966. He completed Military Police Training and was later stationed at the top secret, Sandia Military Base in Albuquerque, NM. It was during this time that they adopted their first child, Karin Elaine, in 1968. After completing his military service and obligations, Bob and Carol returned to Aurora, IL in 1969. He then took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at Aurora College to complete his remaining 3 years during the day and then worked nights as a Security Guard at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, IL. In 1973 they adopted their second daughter, Laureen Lynette Lewis (Challis). Always wanting to move West, Bob received the opportunity in 1976 to move to Eugene, OR., where he worked at Lane County Tax Department. In 1978, the family relocated north to Aloha, OR and Bob went to work for Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in Portland, OR. His independent nature was motivation for him begin his own consulting business which ultimately developed into Unified Process Control in the late 1980s. He designed, developed, and built machines for testing paper products at major paper producing companies throughout the US and Canada. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Carol Jean (Anderson) of 61 years, daughters Karin Elaine and Laureen Lynette Lewis (Challis), his grandsons Dylan Lewis, Tyler Lewis and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl William, and Velma Louise (Clark) Challis, and his brother Noel William Challis. Please visit the family’s online guest book at Demoss-Durdan Funeral Home at www.demossdurdan.com and in lieu of flowers please donate to Aurora University at 347 S. Gladstone Ave, Aurora, IL. 60506. Plans to plant a tree in his name are pending, check back for further details. We will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Bob Challis on May 18, 2024, from 1pm to 3pm. Please feel free to include your families and bring your stories, pictures and memories of Bob! The location for will be held at the Club House which is located directly across the Stoneybrook Lodge. Address is: 4710 Hollyhock Circle Corvallis, OR 97333 As you can see in Google Earth, parking is limited so we recommend carpooling if possible. Please RSVP to me (yes/no) by May 11th as lunch / refreshments will be provided (Karin;karinchallis@hotmail.com; 310-418-1954)

Robert Wayne Challis

October 30, 1940 - January 18, 2024