Robert Akio “Bob” Sumoge, age 85, passed away on December 24, 2013 at his home in Hood River, Oregon.

Bob was born on September 15, 1928 in Hood River, Oregon, the eighth of eleven children born to Shinjiro and Masa (Suzuki) Sumoge, a Japanese immigrant farm family. The Sumoge family farmed until 1941 when war broke out and Bob and his family were sent to internment camps in Tule Lake, California and later to Heart Mountain, Wyoming.

Bob and his family returned to Hood River after the war ended and began the process of rebuilding their shattered lives. A few years later Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Fort Ord, California for two years.

After his time in the U.S. Army, Bob married Ruth Moteki and together they raised their two children. Sadly, Ruth passed away in 1961 at the age of thirty three. In 1963, Bob married Yukiko Okimoto, and his family grew to five children. Bob, with Yukiko by his side, operated Okimoto Orchards for over thirty years.

In the late nineties, Bob and his family sold their Parkdale farm orchard and moved to Hood River where they enjoyed several years of retirement. On August 28, 2011, Yukiko passed away. Bob and Yukiko enjoyed 48 years of marriage before Yukiko’s passing.

Bob was active in the Parkdale Volunteer Fire Department as a Certified EMT. He was a member of the Upper Valley Lions Club and served on the Board of Directors of the Hood River Supply Association for many years. Bob frequently donated blood to the American Red Cross- one of his favorite charities. Bob loved the outdoors, fishing, and mushroom “hunting”.

Bob is survived by his son Gerald (Jerry) of Beaverton, Oregon, daughters Jan Sumoge, Debbie Whitecotton, Donna Okimoto Weiner, and Cheryl Russell of Portland; grandchildren Brad and Stacy Sumoge of Beaverton, Oregon, and Julie Whitecotton of San Francisco, California; brothers Fred Sumoge of Downey, California, Tom Sumoge of Odell, Oregon, and Mitsuo Sumoge of Laughlin, Nevada; sisters Mary Sumoge and Rose Murahashi.

Services are planned for Saturday January 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon with Bob Huskey officiating.

Remembrances in memory of Bob can be made to the Hospice of the Gorge or the American Red Cross

Arrangements under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.