Robert “Bucky” Wanker Wirth, age 85, passed away on October 6, 2018 at his residence in Medical Springs surrounded by his loving family. Bucky was born in Portland, Oregon on May 24, 1933 to his parents Paul Kreger and Glenola Wanker Kreger. He was named Paul Frederick Kreger.
A sister, Janice, was born two years later. His folks divorced and his mom moved back to Medical Springs with the two little ones. They lived with her folks Bob and Zena Wanker.
That’s when his four aunts gave him the nickname Bucky, which stuck all his life. He grew up on a ranch and had a fun childhood. From crawling upon the corral fence and jumping on the work horses to ride when he could.
He had lots of cousins to play with too. His Aunt Hazel liked to fish so she took him fishing. When Bucky was nine years old in 1942, his mom remarried to George Wirth.
Bucky’s name was changed to Robert Wanker Wirth, but he still went by Bucky. He attended grade school at Pondosa, except for 7th grade at Blue Mountain School. He went to Baker High School, graduating in 1951.
He married Mary Lou Dolby on November 15, 1952. They had three children, John, Jim, and Vickie. Bucky worked in the woods setting chokers for Collins Pondosa Lumber Co. for several years and drove cat skidding logs.
They then went in as partners with his folks on the ranch at Big Creek raising Hereford cattle. They moved to the adjoining ranch on April 22, 1958. They bought out his folks eventually buying lots of parcels of land for a total of over 5,000 acres.
He continued to love the outdoors, fishing and hunting, sharing and teaching those skills to family members. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; sons, John (Janice) Wirth and Jim (Lori) Wirth all of Medical Springs; daughter, Vickie (Cal) Foster of Bowen Valley; grandchildren: Joey Wirth of Caldwell, Idaho; Jackie Wirth, Jason (Mandy) Wirth, Angie (David) Hays, Kim (Corey) Jonas all of Medical Springs; and Dan (Tanna) Ferree of Bowen Valley. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; half brother Bill (Anita) Wirth of Pendleton; half sister Georgene Wirth of Baker City; many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
He requested no services and will be buried in the Big Creek Cemetery close to their home. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Heart ‘N’ Home Hospice for their care during Bucky’s last days. Memorial contributions may be made to Baker County Livestock Producers Foundation through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Avenue, Baker City, OR 97814.
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