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Obituary for Russell H. Kahre Sr.
Russell H. Kahre, Sr., 85, passed away at a local care facility in Brookings on February 7, 2015. He was born in Bristol, South Dakota on May 29, 1929 to Roland Henry and Cora Viola (Dahl) Kahre. They moved to Modesto, Calif. when Russell was an infant. During WWII, the family relocated to McCloud, Calif. where, at 16 years old, Russell joined the Forest Service. He attended Oregon State College (now OSU) where he met and married Betty Louise Hall on August 29, 1953. Russell graduated with a degree in Forestry. He was drafted into the US Army and was transferred to Baltimore, Maryland during the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to Little Rock, Arkansas where he was a Counter Intelligence Collection Agent until his discharge. They returned to Mapleton, Oregon where he began his career in the Forest Service. They moved back to Corvallis until he received a promotion to Forest Ranger in Brookings, Ore. in 1967. Russell was instrumental in many acquisitions for Forest Service in the area, such as the Ludlum House, bringing elk back to the area and the expansion of the main offices in Brookings. He was always hiking and mapping new trails as well as climbing the mountains to help fight forest fires, and taking food and supplies to the Look Out posts. He transferred to the Timber Management Office in Grants Pass in 1980 and was directed by President Carter to write a Forest Management Plan for the area. Russell retired from the Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region in 1984 following 33 years of service. He returned to his Brookings home. Russell loved to ocean fish, hunt, hike and work with his hands. He built his home and boat. He and Betty had a stained glass business and created many pieces for new home construction, remodels and the large front windows for Azalea Chapel Mortuary. He worked in a local cabinet shop for many years until he finally retired again. Russell was a member of the Star of the Sea Catholic Church where he was also involved with the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of Rotary and the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Association of Old Smokeys. Russell and Betty were a sanctuary for 67 foster children throughout the years. They hosted a Rotary Exchange Student from Japan, as well as a weekend exchange for two students. Russell was very family-centered and was a wonderful example to all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All of the events in his life included his family. He was a beloved husband, father, Papa, Great Papa, friend and mentor to many. Survivors include his sons, Russell Kahre, Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of Las Vegas, Nev., James Kahre of Vancouver, Wash., daughters, Barbara Jones and her husband, KC of Kuna, Ida., Victoria Kessler of Brookings, Ore., Rose Peterson and her husband, Hugh, of Brookings, Ore., Lea Ann Broome and her husband, Mike of Rainier, Ore., sister, Donna Thornberry and her companion, Dick Petz, of Modesto, Calif., brother, William Kahre and his wife, Beth, of Brookings, Ore.; eighteen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to the US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region Office, 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204 Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 12:30pm on Friday, February 13, 2015 at Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 820 Old County Road. Mass will be celebrated at 1:00pm. A graveside service with military honors will follow at WJ Ward Memorial Cemetery. A luncheon will follow that at the Star of the Sea Parish Hall. Redwood Memorial Chapel is assisting the family.
