Wesley Arthur Herald

Wesley Arthur Herald, 93, of Pilot Rock passed away July 11, 2024 in Pendleton, Oregon.  

Summarizing a life of 93 years, especially a life as rich in love, friends, family, and stories as Wes's, leaves so much out.

Wesley Arthur Herald was born on December 30, 1930 in St. Anthony’s Hospital, Pendleton, Oregon. His parents were Arthur and Bertha (Eldridge) Herald. They lived near Dale, Oregon, until they moved to Pilot Rock, Oregon where Wes would live the rest of his life. 

He worked as a logger with his older brother Vernal in the 1950s. Wes enjoyed hunting in the Blue Mountains. He married Colleen Rubbert in 1959. They had two sons, Richard and John. Wes joined the City of Pilot Rock as a maintenance man, working up to the title of Superintendent of Streets. 

Wes enjoyed restoring old vehicles. He still had his father’s 1931 REO Speedwagon truck which he would occasionally drive around Eastern Oregon. He retired from the city in 1992, but stayed active driving truck or operating heavy equipment for others. After Colleen passed in 2000, he bought a very used 1959 Peterbilt and used it to take old engines and other equipment to shows around Oregon and Washington with his son John.

Wes had many nieces and nephews, but because of his always open door, people of all walks called him Uncle Wes. He was generous in many ways: with his time, his formidable skills as a mechanic and handy man, and his sense of humor. He entertained many with his stories.  

He will be deeply missed by the many who knew and loved him.