Robert Ray "Bob" Bany
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"I am very sorry to hear of Bob's unexpected passing. He..."
- Cathy Galvin
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Bany, Robert 'Bob' Ray 72 May 21, 1943 Dec. 07, 2015 Bob Bany passed away unexpectedly Dec. 7, 2015, at home doing one of his favorite things, baking his annual Christmas candy. Many people knew him as Mother, a nickname given to him by his fellow firefighters because of his love for cooking, and like a mother always watched out for everyones safety and well-being. Bob Bany was born May 21, 1943, in Oregon City, in what is now referred to as the old Oregon City Hospital on Washington Street. He was the first child in a family of nine children from Ray Bany and Ruth (Churchill) Bany. He attended St. John the Apostle grade school in Oregon City and Central Catholic High School in Portland. As a young boy he was active in the Boy Scouts and attended the National Scout Jamboree in Colorado Springs, Colo. It was likely from this experience that Bob, throughout his life, was always prepared. After high school he worked for Clackamas County and spent time driving delivery and dump trucks as well as doing masonry work. He met his wife, Carol Kelly J. Mallon on a blind date in August of 1962, and the two married the following year. Bob was a 29-year veteran firefighter and engineer and one of the first certified EMTs for the Oak Lodge Fire District in Oak Grove. Bob often played Santa for the fire departments toy drive, delivering toys to families on the fire engine. Bob and Kelly have two children. Their son, Troy Bany is a Lake Oswego lieutenant and paramedic and is married to Gina (Bittke) Bany. They have three sons, Andrew, who is married to Katie (Cochran) Bany, Evan Bany and Nolan Bany. They reside in West Linn. A daughter, Bobbie Garcia, resides in Chula Vista, Calif. In his early life as well as in his retirement, Bob spent much of his time helping others. He could always be counted on to lend a hand on any project and brought with him an awesome set of tools he collected over time. He and Kelly were involved in the West Linn and Riverview Lions clubs and managed the Coats for Kids program to make sure no student was without a warm jacket. Bob liked fast cars and spent eight summers as a crew member of the Tiki Warrior funny car team. He enjoyed traveling to historic race tracks around the country and seeing the race cars that were famous when he was young. He especially enjoyed driving his tractor and listening to classic rock on his headphones while he cared for his signature garden. He shared his harvest with many people and organizations in the local community. In lieu of flowers or a memorial service, the family suggests contributions be made in his honor to The Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, 1010 N.W. 22nd Ave., #144, Portland, OR 97210, (503) 413-7399.