Karl Martin Marlow was born in Aberdeen, Wash., on Sept. 6, 1949, to Helen A. (Thoma) and William John Marlow. He passed away on Feb. 18, 2008, in Timber Valley, Wash., at the age of 58.

An avid sportsman and outdoorsman, Karl loved hunting and fishing of every kind. He was always active in the community and his church.

Karl volunteered his time to the Big Brother mentoring organization and to Hospice of the Gorge; in fact Karl had just received the Dream Team award for his Hospice work.

Karl Marlow is survived by his son, Bill Marlow, and daughter-in-law, Kristie, of Aloha, Ore.; grandchildren, Austin and Tate; twin brother, Ken Marlow, of Timber Valley; brothers Stan Marlow of Goldendale, Wash., and Andy Marlow, of Roseville, Calif.; sisters Doloras LaGae, of Oregon City, Ore., and Carolyn Myers, of Vancouver, Wash.; and special friend, Bernie Orgill, of Clackamas, Ore.

A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1660 Elm St., Forest Grove, OR 97116. Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon handled cremation arrangements.

Robert Neal Level, of Hood River, Ore., passed away at his home with family by his side Feb. 18, 2008, at the age of 82.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Hood River Church of the Nazarene, 2168 Belmont Ave., with Rev. Jim Beals officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Oregon Military Honors Team and U.S. Navy Honor Guard.

Robert was born Dec. 12, 1925, in Hood River, Ore., to Earl and Elizabeth (Derr) Level. He was raised and educated in Hood River, and lived here his entire life except for his service in the Navy.

He joined the Navy at the age of 17 on July 1, 1943. He proudly served on the USS Preble in the South Pacific during World War II.

Robert married Zelma Irene Bryant on Nov. 9, 1946. They had two sons, Bob and David. He worked for Diamond Fruit as a truck driver and mechanic. Later, he became self-employed as a brick mason and founded Level and Son Masonry, from which he retired in 1988.

He loved spending time with family and friends. He was an excellent storyteller and everyone enjoyed visiting with him. He cherished memories of his years in the Navy, coaching Little League, and watching his sons participate in all sports, especially football.

He enjoyed the Saturdays in the fall traveling to Monmouth to watch his sons play football at Oregon College of Education. He was a hit among the players, coaches and administrators when he brought a box of juicy Hood River apples into the locker room after each game.

He took pleasure in finding the biggest mushrooms, having a beautiful yard and garden, growing the tallest corn and harvesting the largest pumpkins. He is remembered for his delicious homemade pizza and spaghetti. Teasing and playing practical jokes on his closest friends brought him smiles and laughs.

Bob and Zelma enjoyed traveling. They took several trips to California, Arizona, Mexico, Washington, D.C., the Oregon Coast and Branson, Mo. They often traveled with their fifth-wheeler visiting friends. Two of Bob’s all-time favorite places were the Oregon Coast, where he spent many happy hours bottom-fishing, and Pendleton, for the yearly Round-Up festivities.

After retirement he was able to devote much of his time to loving and spoiling his grandchildren, and later his great-grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as “Grandpa Bob.” His family was very dear to him. He loved playing outdoors with the children. All the great-grandchildren were thrilled to ride with Grandpa Bob on the four-wheeler.

He is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his granddaughter, Kelli Level; his brothers, Raymond and Ernest; and sisters Frances Homme and Mildred Reams.

Robert is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Dianne and David and Danette; grandchildren Molly Searcy and her husband, Rick, Aaron Level and his wife, Beth, Katie Haynie and her husband, Erick, Corey Level and his wife, Marcie, Tara Wilkes and her husband, Matt, and Rocky Level; great-grandchildren Brynn and Ian Searcy, Luke, Tatum and Jackson Level and Caroline and Georgia Haynie; and sister, Betty Kadlec.

Interment will be at Pine Grove Butte Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in the memory of Robert to the Ray T. Yasui Dialysis Center or Hospice of the Gorge in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000; www.andersonstributecenter.com.