Robert Ray Tobola of Irrigon passed away in Hermiston on May 17, 2025 at the age of 75.
He was born on June 9, 1949 in Bell, Calif. to Donald and Patsy Sprague Tobola.
Robert grew up in California, where he received his education. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years from 1967 until 1971. After his honorable discharge, he began his career as an iron worker. He lived and worked in the Las Vegas, Nev. area for many years. Bob and his brother Mike proudly worked on many large construction projects in Las Vegas including Treasure Island, New York New York, Caesar’s Palace and Sands Hotel and finished their iron-working career on CityCenter Las Vegas. In the late 1990s, he took a job at the Umatilla Army Chemical Depot when he moved to Irrigon. He had resided in the Irrigon area for the past 25 years. His last job was as a general foreman at the vitrification plant at Hanford in Tri-Cities, Wash.
Robert enjoyed woodworking, riding motorcycles, reading and cooking.
He is survived by his daughter, Dawn Tobola; brothers, Larry Tobola and Mike Tobola; grandson, Tyler Lowe; granddaughter, Jocilyn Frank; several great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and close friends.
A private family gathering will be held and a private burial will be in California.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
