Robert V. Stoffel

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Robert Valentine Stoffel, 78, a longtime resident of Wallowa County, died at his home in Enterprise surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.

He was born to Pearl and Amelia Stoffel in Clyde County, Kansas, the ninth of 13 children.

He joined the Navy in 1951 and served on the USS Charr submarine during the Korean War.

In 1959 he married Zenda Morris. The couple had a son and three daughters and was married until 1973. They moved to La Grande in 1962 where Mr. Stoffel started his water well drilling business, Stoffel Bros. Drilling. In 1975, he moved to Wallowa County.

He drilled water wells throughout Wallowa, Union and Baker Counties for more than 48 years. Mr. Stoffel considered drilling wells more a hobby than a job because of all the wonderful people he met along the way. Many recall him as “the driller with a dog in tow.”

Friends and family recall him as a man of his word, a devoted father, a proud veteran, and an accomplished well driller. He enjoyed dancing at the Elks, listening to big band music, and watching John Wayne movies.

He is survived by his children, Jeff Stoffel and his wife Kim of Enterprise, Tori Reeve and her husband Bruce of Metaline, Wash., Julie Henning and her husband Mike of Park City, Mont., and Tressa Masters and her husband Bob of Enterprise; 10 grandchildren and one great grandson. He is also survived by his sisters, Edna Mae Elder and her husband Melvin of La Grande, and Javene Lobaugh and her husband Charles of Portland; and brother, Eugene Stoffel and his wife Luella of Mesa, Ariz.

He was preceded in his death by his parents; brothers, Oliver, Junior Matthew, Lawrence, Lester, Wilber, Sidney and Raymond; sisters, Adella (Reese) and Ada Fae (Ditmar).

Services will be held at 11 a.m. April 29 at Enterprise Christian Church. Graveside services and reception will follow at Enterprise Cemetery and the Enterprise VFW respectively.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to the Wallowa County Foundation of Honor at 601 NE First Street, Enterprise, OR 97828