Click link above for full obit
Robert John Hambly
March
22, 1923 — October 21, 2023
Grants
Pass
Robert
John Hambly, 100 years old, of Grants Pass, passed away peacefully on October
21, 2023 in his home. Robert was born March 22, 1923 in Texas City, Texas to
John and Maude Hambly. Robert served in WWII and the Korean War as a
photographer. While in charge of the photo lab in the Philippines, he was the
first to develop the iconic Joe Rosenthal photograph of the flag raising atop
Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. He was a founding member and president of the
Josephine County Credit Union in 1962, now known as First Community Credit
Union. In 1964 he obtained his amateur radio license WA7BYD and became a
director of the worldwide Amateur Radio Missionary Service (ARMS) emergency
radio network. Robert was a teacher, principal, curriculum director, and
assistant superintendent for the Josephine County School District until retiring
in 1978. He was a member of the First Christian Church for 20 years where he was
instrumental in the children’s Backyard Club, and served on the board’s
finance committee. Robert is survived by his wife of 77 years, Lillian; two
children, Libby McLain of Beaverton, and Tom Hambly (Jill) of Eugene; four
grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at
First Christian Church, 305 SW “H” St., Grants Pass OR 97526 on Friday,
November 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make
donations to Royal Family Kids, a non-profit for Josephine and Jackson County
children in foster care, at 229 NE Beacon Dr., Grants Pass, OR 97526.
11 April 2024