Robert Allen Braze

Robert "Bob" Allen Braze, 73, a resident of the Forest Grove community, passed away on January 5, 2021 at his home.
Bob was born on January 5, 1948, in Fresno, CA.  He was one of twin sons born to Edward and JoAnn (Papagni) Braze.  He was raised in Fresno and attended Fresno High School, graduating with the Class of 1966.  He then attended Fresno State University where he earned his Bachelor's degree.  Bob was commissioned in the United States Navy after college graduation and served his country from 1970-1975.  Bob's service took him on two tours of Vietnam, earning the rank of Lieutenant while flying E-1's and E-2's off aircraft carriers in the South Pacific.
After his military service, Bob met his future wife, Lois Rogers, when he attended her yoga class.  They soon began dating and married on June 7, 1980.  They made their first home in Fresno where they had a son and a daughter, Morgan and Megan. He worked as a flight instructor and commercial pilot for Mazzei's Flight Service.  In 1987 they moved to Oregon when Bob was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration.  Being an experienced pilot, Bob flew many diverse airplanes, including Boeing 747s and Learjets. His career took him all over the world and he was able to visit over 100 countries throughout his lifetime. A skilled civil servant, one of his most-honed professional skills was the art of the boondoggle. He had three guiding principles to his work: wear shoes with laces, so you can claim you were tying your shoes and didn't see anything, always carry around a piece of paper, so that you look busy, and never sign your name so anyone can read it.
Bob and Lois were actively involved in the Vernonia Muzzleloader's Club and enjoyed traveling.  Among Bob's favorites destinations were Hong Kong, Europe, and especially Paris.  He was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, OR for many years, and enjoyed discussing life in the Navy with the pastor.  Bob enjoyed both water and snow skiing and loved hunting and fishing.  He would go fishing for Steelhead and Salmon as often as he was able and loved sharing this experience with others. He was known as quite the storyteller and his family and friends will always remember his favorites. He told most everyone the story of the time Prince Charles stole his date. Bob had a strange fascination with UFOs, and really wished he could be abducted, just to tell that wild tale, though it unfortunately never happened.
Bob loved all animals and would never hesitate to help an animal in need. Bob grew up owning Dachshunds and owned many over the years, including his beloved Sophie, who never learned sit or stay but could pray and was great at singing. Later in life he met a few chihuahuas that stole his heart and changed his view on the breed. His young pup Molly was a great comfort to him during the shutdowns of 2020. He even grew to enjoy cats over the years and became best buddies with Fizzy. When his daughter and wife caught the horse bug he dove in wholeheartedly, purchasing a truck and trailer and serving as ranch hand "whispering" horses by blowing in their noses.
Bob was active in local government and served as a valued member of the Hillsboro Airport Roundtable Exchange and Citizens Noise Advisory Committee for the Port of Portland. He was a skilled writer and orator, often testifying in public meetings.  He particularly enjoyed refuting bogus claims made by the bozos at Oregon Aviation Watch. Perhaps his proudest moment came when he and his son stood outside a Hillary Clinton presidential campaign rally at Liberty High School with a large banner that read "Monica Lewinsky's Ex-Boyfriend's Wife for President", which was throwback to when he and his brother Gene pulled a similar stunt during George Wallace's campaign in the 1960s.
Above all else, Bob was a devoted dad. He went to every game, play, horse show, graduation, inauguration; you name it, he was there. He is deeply loved by his children and adored by their friends. One of his favorite possessions was a particularly creepy old man mask that he used to scare kids at Halloweens and slumber parties. He loved to pick his daughter up from Brookwood Elementary School and loudly rev his motorcycle outside of the principal's office, because she was a real bitch. Every year he'd take his family to the same beach house to spend a week at Lincoln City, his favorite beach. They made a million priceless memories on these trips, including sandcastle contests, foot sunburns, horseback rides, kite-flying and setting the record for plates of crab legs and popcorn shrimp consumed at the Sea Hagg seafood buffet. Every week would culminate with an illegal firework show on the beach.  Only once did a grouchy neighbor call the police. When the cops showed up, Bob handed over the remainder of the fireworks and gleefully told the officer that he had already shot off all the good stuff.
He is survived by his wife, Lois, his children; Son Morgan Braze and his partner Bonnie Reddig of Forest Grove, OR, Daughter Megan Braze Lindsey and her husband Kevin Lindsey of Springfield, VA, his brother Gene Braze and his wife Pam of Fresno, CA, Brother- in-law Doug Rogers and his wife Kelli of Fresno, CA, nephews; Logan Braze, Josh Rogers, and Brian Rogers, niece Taryn Duvall, her husband Kory Duvall, their daughters, Brooks and Noah and his wide circle of extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his good friend Dave Weiss, among other close friends and relatives.
A Celebration of Life is pending at a time and date to be determined. To honor Bob's memory, the family would encourage you to donate to the charity of your choice in Bob's name.