Alvin Jacob "Jake" Weber, 85, of Bend, Oregon, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024.
His wife, daughter, and granddaughter were by his bedside. Born on May 18, 1938, in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Alvin and Retta Weber.
Jake was raised in his birth town and would ultimately move west and live most of his working years in eastern Nevada and Portland before finally retiring to his beloved central Oregon home.
Jake was a dedicated and loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Jake made the most delicious blended margaritas and always enjoyed a good serving of ice cream!
In 1956, Jake joined the military and served in the US Air force for 5 years. It was in this service that Jake learned and honed his skills as an electrician.
His military duties brought him to Winnemucca, Nevada, where, among other things, he repaired and maintained complex communications equipment on its namesake mountain peak.
He quickly became an expert at this trade in both commercial and residential electrical work and was known for his thorough, orderly and highly precise work.
His two grandsons carry on this trade today. Jake was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge and a faithful member of the Methodist Church.
In his free time, Jake loved fishing, deer and elk hunting, reading, and his special pastime of woodworking.
When his grandchildren were born, Jake made each of them numerous special toy airplanes, cars, trucks, trains and animals from pine, alder, birch and oak.
These treasures are now finding their way to the next generation, being passed on to his great grandchildren.
Perhaps his most remarkable works have been the intricate scroll saw projects that dominated his retirement years.
From puzzles to intricate boxes and wall art, his work with a scroll saw was second to none.
His creativity and skill as a woodworker has influenced many family members to take up this art form.
Jake met his sweetheart, Valerie Taylor in Winnemucca, and the two were married in 1959.
Their marriage was a shining example to those around them about true love, friendship, communication and companionship. Jake and Valerie enjoyed doing all sorts of activities together, from skiing, hiking, RVing and community volunteering, to their cherished trips to the Oregon coast.
Their volunteer work included Smart Reading for elementary school children, building displays and assisting with the hanging of quilts for numerous central Oregon outdoor quilt shows, and helping with the annual Pacific Crest Triathlon event in Sunriver.
Jake is survived by his wife of 65 years, Valerie Weber, and daughter, Amy Weber-Salgo, with husband Rich. Jake has four grandchildren: Mitch (Alexis), John (Kaylee), Lauren, and Danielle (DJ); and six great-grandchildren, Bryelle, Canyon, Grant, Reid, Amica, and Tino.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Retta Weber; father, Al Weber; brother, Jay Weber; and son, Alan Jacob "Jake" Weber.
He will always be remembered for his beautiful generosity, kindness and calm strength. We will love him and miss him forever.
A celebration of life and spread of ashes will be held later this summer in Jake’s favorite hunting grounds in the Nevada mountains. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Humane Society of Central Oregon.