Bob Traver, 82, a resident of Rutledge, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly at Jackson Hospital on Monday, August 24th, 2026. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, August 29th, at Rutledge Methodist Church with Rev. Dunford Cole officiating.

Bob grew up working summers at his parents' hunting and fishing resort in Obabikon Bay in Canada which instilled in him a true love of the outdoors that endured throughout his lifetime. He earned his bachelor of science in Forestry from Colorado State, where he had to go camping in the woods there for a week at a time with a group so they could count the trees for timber sales. He also shared that love with his beloved family. He taught them all how to canoe and shoot and spent many a happy hour camping, hiking, and fishing together. They especially loved roughing it at the cabin they built in Alaska. Bob was also happiest behind the wheel as he and Stanna made 21 round trips driving to their beloved little cabin from Alabama.

Bob proudly served his country with the United States Army, which included a tour of duty during the Vietnam Conflict, before retiring in 1988 at the rank of major. He met the love of his life, Stanna Anderson, while in Colorado and, together, they raised their family all around the world thanks to his military career. They especially loved their time in Germany, and a short stint at Fort Rucker led to them buying land in Crenshaw County where they would return to live after his retirement. He especially loved the trees they planted there over the years after their purchase in the 1970s. After retirement, Bob drove a truck for many years, but his favorite activity was farming on the land he cherished though there was nothing he loved more than the time he spent there with his beloved family.

There has never been a character quite like Bob. This is a man who never met a straight answer to any question asked of him, and, apparently, not even the Army could beat that out of him. He had a truly wonderful sense of humor as the king and master of sarcasm, and knew how to make everything an adventure, like becoming a "snooty" waiter to the kids while in his dress uniform for military balls as he waited for Stanna to finish getting dolled up. Of course, when your TV gets hit by lightning in 1972 and you never replace it, you definitely have to learn how to make your own entertainment over the years. I mean, this is the man who showed up to his daughter Terra's wedding with a shotgun and empty pockets for the wedding photos....you just never knew what he was gonna do! Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, and Grandpa to the family he cherished more than anything in this world. He will be missed more than words could possibly express but he has left behind such a treasure trove of a million stories and laughs to ensure he will continue to entertain his family for many more years to come.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Don Emery & Catherine Matilde Logue Traver, and brother, Charlie Traver. He is survived by his beloved wife of 692 months and 2 days, Stanna Anderson Traver; children, Terra (Danny) Lindmark, Amanda (Sue) Tate, and Ander Don (Jen) Traver; grandchildren, Anika Lindmark, Torbin Lindmark, Gabe Tate, and Terra Tate; grand dog, Dakota; brother, Jim (Bobbi) Traver; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made The Light of the Village at https://www.lightofthevillage.org.>