March 16, 1936 – September 25, 2021

Robert Lewis Niswender passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the age of 85 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s dementia. Robert was born on March 16, 1936, in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was the firstborn of three children born to Glen and Esther (Thompson) Niswender.

Robert was preceded in death by his father and mother; sister, Glenda Mae Walker; wife, Anna June; and granddaughter, Mindy Musgrove. He is survived by his brother, Donald Leroy Niswender of Hood River, Oregon; his three children, Larry Niswender (Sue) of Salem, Oregon, Diana Rynearson of Portland, Oregon, and Carla Niswender of La Grande, Oregon; seven grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren.

Robert fell in love with Anna June Robertson and they married in March 1954 in Kennewick, Washington. After graduating from Mt. Vernon High School in June 1954, Robert worked briefly for Kinzua Corporation’s saw mills in Kinzua and Bates, Oregon, prior to going to work for the Oregon Telephone Corporation in Mt. Vernon. His passion for hunting and fishing, as well as his desire to pursue new challenges, prompted him to become an Oregon State Policeman in 1968. He was assigned to the Fish and Game Division and spent his first two years of Fish and Game law enforcement service in Medford, Oregon, before transferring to La Grande, Oregon, in 1970, where he faithfully served the State of Oregon for 13 years.

Based on his years of dedicated service and successfully protecting wildlife resources, apprehending fish and game law violators and volunteering to teach dozens of hunter safety courses, he was highly respected and broadly considered a hard act to follow. A March 1983 letter to the La Grande Observer editor written by Jerry Collins, following Robert’s retirement, said it best: “When it comes to public servants, there is none that can hold a candle to him for dedication. I doubt that anyone could become as dedicated and effective as a game warden as Robert Niswender. He is the best I’ve seen in my 40 years.”

After retiring from the Oregon State Police in 1983, Robert and Anna June moved to Alaska where Robert worked alongside other law enforcement professionals who provided security services on the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. In Alaska, he had time to enjoy his passion for catching salmon on the Kenai River and halibut from the Cook Inlet. After a few years, he and Anna June moved back to Oregon to be closer to family. Robert was blessed with 41 years of marriage until Anna June passed away in October 1995. Robert moved back to La Grande in 1997, where he enjoyed being close to family and outdoor passions. Robert looked forward to being reunited with the love of his life when he passed. Thankfully, they are together again.

A family graveside service for Robert is being planned, but no date has been set at this time. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.