Rob Bogatay has been a long-time member of AGC, and has been a supporter of chapter efforts in the Klamath area for many years. He was active in the Klamath Area Council, and his bright smile and sense of humor will be missed. The AGC staff sends its thoughts and sympathies to his family at this difficult time.
Robert J. “Rob” Bogatay, 66, died Monday, May 21, 2012 at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, with his family by his side, where he was receiving treatment for leukemia.
Rob was born in Klamath Falls on May 2, 1946, to Frank R. and Barbara (Zaputil) Bogatay. He attended Klamath Falls schools and was a 1964 graduate of Klamath Union High School. He graduated from Southern Oregon College (now University) in 1968 with a degree in history. Following his graduation, he moved to Aspen, Colo., to pursue his interest in building construction by working for a local Aspen developer. He returned to Klamath Falls in 1970 to start Bogatay Construction.
Bogatay Construction has been involved in building and remodeling many Klamath Basin commercial, industrial, military, multifamily, and residential projects in Oregon, California, and Washington. Rob completed a large number of Klamath Falls projects including: St. Pius X Catholic Church, Iris Glen Townhouses, Olympic Inn, Klamath County Event Center, Herald and News Office and Production Facility, and numerous downtown buildings, to name a few.
Rob married the love of his life, Linda, on June 26, 1980, in Klamath Falls. They were married almost 32 years.
Rob was an avid skier in his earlier years. He loved cars and had just finished restoring his ‘29 Nash Coupe from his high school years. He looked forward each day to having coffee with the coffee group who met at many downtown restaurants over the years. There he could talk politics and solve the problems of the world. He enjoyed helping Linda with her horses; his family was uppermost in his life.
Rob was a member of Rotary International, Klamath County Rotary Club, the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of AGC, Klamath Chamber of Commerce, past member of OIT Foundation, Sacred Heart Parish Council, Klamath County Planning Commission, and the Republican Committee.
Survivors include his wife, Linda; brother and sister-in-law Rich and Tammy Bogatay, Klamath Falls; sister and brother-in-law Joann and David Henzel, Portland; and his children, Kristen, Lisa, Stephen, Jonathan, and Matthew. He is also survived by six grandchildren and 13 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Barbara Bogatay.
A memorial mass of Christian Burial for Rob will be held at 2 pm, Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 4880 Bristol Ave. A reception will follow. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may send contributions to the local food bank and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rob’s memory.
Published in Herald And News on May 27, 2012.