Robert Earl “Bob” Gruwell, age 80, of Sweet Home passed away early Friday morning at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis surrounded by his family’s love. He believed in God Our Father, Jesus His Son and knew he would go to heaven and passed away peacefully.

He was born in Dunlap, Kansas to Willard and Lillian (Faulkner) Gruwell where he was raised on their family’s farm. He moved to Orange County, California where he met and married Mary Florence Richmond. Together, they had six children.

Bob worked for Firestone Rubber Company for twenty-five years before moving to Sweet Home in 1981. He always loved Oregon and knew he would settle here. He went to work for the Elks Lodge and worked there twenty-seven years. He married Vivian Goodman in 2001.

Bob enjoyed making things out of wood. He made shelves, bird houses, planters, and wishing wells. He also loved to cook, barbeque, and to have his family and friends over. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up around him. He enjoyed playing horseshoes, camping, fishing, and visiting the Oregon coast.

Bob is survived by his wife, Vivian; daughters, Cathee and husband Tom Leysack of Orange County, California, Debbe and husband Terry Walczyk of Sweet Home, and Jennifer and husband Jose Hermosillo of Sweet Home; sons, Jack and wife Sharon of Wisconsin, Michael Gruwell of Sweet Home, and David Gruwell of Sweet Home; step-son, Jonathon and wife Valerie Brandemihl of Arizona; brother, Roy Gruwell; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brothers, Sam and Donald.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling services.