Robert Joseph Kremer

Robert Joseph Kremer of Portland, Oregon passed away on April 24th from health complications related to age. Bob was born in 1931 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Mark and Lillian Kremer and had two younger sisters, Patricia and Therese.

In the aftermath of the Great Depression the family moved from South Dakota and settled in Portland. Bob graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1949. He served in the Oregon National Guard, earned his bachelor's degree in 1954 from University of Portland and his doctorate in 1969 from Oregon State University.

After college he began his long career as a public school teacher in Umapine, Oregon. He was a coach, counselor and teacher at Lake Oswego High School, then moved into administration, first at Lakeridge High School and eventually retiring in 1986 as principal of Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Oregon.

He had a positive effect on thousands of Oregon high school students’ lives.

Bob married Shirley Anne Shipman of Eugene, Oregon in 1954 with whom he raised three children - Kathy, Rick and Rob. Shirley died in 1995 of breast cancer. In 1999, Bob married Dorothy Stephens of Portland with whom he lived until his final days.

Bob had an indefatigable optimism. His significant professional obligations did not keep him from coaching his sons’ Little League teams, spending vacations at the Oregon coast with his family, or pursuing his many hobbies. He was an avid golfer. He remained intellectually curious his entire life. He is the rare person to have celebrated two silver anniversaries with two remarkable wives.

Bob is survived by his wife Dorothy Kremer, his daughter Kathy Kremer (married to Stephen Young,) Rick Kremer (married to Debbie Kremer) and Rob Kremer (married to Mary Kremer.) He has two step children, Paul Stephens and Susan Teague, seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon on June 13th with a reception to follow. The family wishes to thank the many people who offered their prayers, and the wonderful staff at The Forum and Elite Care at Fanno Creek, where Bob’s needs were so faithfully attended.