Robert Wayne

Cannon Beach icon, Dr. Robert (Bob) Wayne (MD, FACS), 80, died on October 19, 2023, at home with his wife Jean, his sister Cynthia and brother-in-law Hans at his side.

Bob was born on August 14, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, to Bill and Debbie Wayne.

Before retirement, Bob was a general surgeon at Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Astoria and Providence Hospital in Seaside. Bob said that he “played doctor for over 40 years on the Oregon coast.” In addition to working in the hospitals, Dr. Bob made many house calls over the years. Dr. Wayne received his M.D. from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1969. His internship and surgical residency were also completed at Creighton. Dr. Wayne was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel and served in active duty for the US Public Health Service in Seattle from 1974 to 1978. He joined the staff of CMH
in 1978.

Bob met Jean, his lovely wife of 52 years, in Omaha in 1968, when he was a medical student and Jean
was a nursing student. They were married in 1971.

Bob was active in his community and worked with the City of Cannon Beach as a volunteer in emergency preparedness. He helped start and was co-coordinator of the Cannon Beach Medical Reserve Corp, he was a member of the Community Emergency Response Team and Disaster Animal Response Team, and he was actively involved in emergency communications along the North Oregon Coast as a HAM radio operator and member of Clatsop County Auxiliary Communications.

Bob had horses and was passionate about sharing his love for riding. Bob rode in city parades and events and could often be seen in Cannon Beach riding with friends. He often invited strangers who he met on the beach to ride with him. Bob loved kids and, when he met children who were excited to see horses up close, would show them how to feed the horses or put them in the saddle for a memorable experience.

In 2021, Bob met Galen, Bryce, and Serena, the children of his neighbors, Mickey and Chet Moritz. He referred to them as his virtual grandchildren. They learned how to ride and take care of the horses and were often seen riding with Bob. Recently, the boys took responsibility for caring for Bob’s three horses.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jean, his sister Cynthia Anderfuhren (husband – Hans) and nephew Alex Anderfuhren of Bern, Switzerland, and his niece Bai Zhu Schmillen of Des Moines, Iowa. Condolences may be sent to PO Box 520, Cannon Beach, OR 97110. Donations in Bob’s memory may be sent to the CMH Foundation (https://www.columbiamemorial.org/giving/cmh-foundation/) or Providence Seaside Hospital Foundation (https://foundation.providence.org/oregon/seaside).