Day, The Rev. Robert 'Bob' Franklin

The Rev. Robert “Bob” Franklin Day passed away Dec. 16, 2010, in Oregon City, Ore., at the age of 84. Dad was a friend to the friendless, a leader by example, and an active participate in the full Christian life. Dad loved people. He reveled in sharing his Christian faith with them.

Born in Jones County, Iowa, on May 23, 1926, the third of four children born to Theola Wink and Frank Day, his Depression-era childhood was never easy. He met his future wife, Eleanor Cole, the first day of high school in Anamosa. World War II was under way and upon graduation, Dad joined the U.S. Navy, serving in radio communications. He married mom on Jan. 19, 1945.

Dad attended Kletzing College of Divinity in Oskaloosa and served several Evangelical churches (Edwards Chapel, Hopkins Gove Church) in Iowa. During some of those college years he was mentored by Billy Graham and participated in the beginning of the Youth for Christ movement. During seminary in Oregon he served at the Salem First Evangelical Church and ministered at Beaver Church on the Oregon coast. He received his ordination in 1955 from the Western Evangelical Seminary (Jennings Lodge, Ore.) and was assigned to the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Alburnett, Iowa. By this time, the Days were a larger family with two small girls and a baby son.

Dad often referred to Oregon as “God's Country” and longed to return. He joined the Wichita Evangelical Church (Milwaukie, Ore.) in 1962 and ministered there until 1976. Wichita became an outreach church; church attendance grew, the focus on worldwide missions flourished, camp meetings expanded and lasting Christian friendships were born and shared. Visits to missions in Africa and an adventure to the Holy Land were memories he and mom cherished.

The First Evangelical Church of Eugene, Ore., became their home in 1976 and they loved the people and the service to the Eugene area so much they stayed until 2003, when they returned to the Milwaukie/ Oregon City area to be closer to their family. Dad always found time to fish and hunt with friends. He loved his horseback hunting trips in eastern Oregon.

Robert “Bob” Day is survived by his brother, Earl of Florida; his three children, Charlotte Kocher (Scappoose, Ore.), Marie Foreman (Fruita, Colo.) and Marcus Day (Milwaukie, Ore.); seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death in 2009 by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor.

Our father's and mother's wishes were to have their memorial services together. To honor their wish a memorial service remembering both Dad and Mom will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2011, at the Oregon City Evangelical Church, 1024 Linn Ave., Oregon City, Ore.

For those unable to attend we request on that day you light a candle and say a prayer to remember the lives of Bob and Eleanor Day. We hope churches throughout the Northwest and Midwest and missionaries around the world will celebrate Dad and Mom's life in Christ in this way.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to World Gospel Mission.

Cards of Remembrance may be sent to 4388 SE Cottonwood Ct., Milwaukie, OR 97267.