EUGENE, OREGON - A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 29, at the First United Methodist Church in Eugene, Ore., for Robert F. "Bob" Sorenson, of Eugene, who died on June 3, 2012, in Eugene, of age-related causes. He was 81.
He was born on June 14, 1930, in Williston, N.D., to Fred and Lillian (Graham) Sorensen. He married Edith Bigelow on Nov. 19, 1950.
He graduated from Minot High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D.
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He began his career in the Engineering Department at Convair Aircraft in San Diego, Calif. He became the first Volkswagen distributor in the state of North Dakota in 1958, building and managing automotive dealerships in Fargo and Bismarck, N.D.
In 1970, the family moved to Eugene, Ore., where he was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance. He was involved in establishing Serenity Lane. In 1974, he obtained his real estate license and developed subdivisions in the area. He also owned Gordon Brunton Realty with his wife, Edith. In 1980, he established the first one-hour photo processing stores in Eugene and retired in 1993.
Bob found pleasure in restoring antique cars, flying model airplanes, fishing, exploring the countryside in his motorhome, and in spending quiet time with his family. His great love and concern for animals was passed on to his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include: his wife; a son, Cody, of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; and a daughter, Sandi Fickenscher, of Portland, Ore.; a sister, LaVonne Sorensen-Jackson, of Minot, N.D.; and 5 grandchildren.
Arrangements have been made with Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene. Private inurnment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Ore. Remembrances may be sent to the Greenhill Humane Society, 88530 Green Hill Road, Eugene, OR 97402.