http://www.tdn.com:80/articles/2008/10/28/area_news/doc4906e27c2f4b4609692116.txt
The logging community is mourning the loss of a skillful Longview timber cutter widely known for his kind nature, generous spirit and big moustache.
Robert “Bob” Betz, 54, was killed Saturday by a log that rolled down a steep slope at a remote logging site in Northwest Oregon. He died of head trauma and other injuries at the scene, despite the efforts of emergency medical workers to save him, said Curtis Nicholson, owner of Nicholson’s Contract Cutting and a good friend of Betz.
“A bad accident happened to a very good man,” a shaken Nicholson said Monday evening. “You could fall every timber faller in the world in a pile and Bob Betz would be at the top because he was, by far, the best man I’ve ever seen at this job.”
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened on Campbell Group property between the towns of Natal and Mist, about 13 miles south of Clatskanie. Betz was working as a subcontractor for Nicholson.
Nicholson said that from what he’s pieced together Betz cut in half a tree that was on the ground. One log rolled down the hill, but the other half of the tree didn’t move. Betz went down the slope to cut down trees, and about 45 minutes later, the second log crashed down on him, Nicholson said.
“He would never go under anything that was unsafe or that he knew wasn’t locked in solid,” Nicholson said. “He preached safety, and I do not know why this accident happened.”
Six other timber workers helped Mist Birkenfield Fire medics haul Betz on a stretcher to level ground. By the time a Life Flight helicopter landed, Betz was dead, Nicholson said.
Kelso resident Henry Amos, a retired timber faller, worked alongside Betz for many years. Many people are hurting at the news of his death, Amos said.
“Anyone would hire him. That’s the kind of cutter he was. ... He was just a perfectionist. He was a professional,” said Amos, 51. “The old school cutters, they’re all gone. He’s old school, broke in cutting old growth. ... You had to know what you were doing to cut big timber. You couldn’t just go out there and throw it down, slap it around.”
Betz moved to Washington more than 20 years ago from California, said Amos, who talked him into moving to Longview from the Aberdeen area because work prospects were better. Betz became a roommate and close family friend, Amos said.
“People cared for him. He was just a go-to guy. He would do anything in the world for you,” he said.
In 2002, Betz went through hard times and lived in Community House, Longview’s homeless shelter.
Community House office manager Owen Kirk said that while staying at the shelter Betz bought tools and equipment to start his own timber-cutting business.
“He left from here pretty successfully,” Kirk said.
Once back on his feet, Betz would return to Community House to pick up people for jobs. He bought some of them logging tools and boots. He taught four or five young men to make a living by falling timber, Amos said.
“He’s always helped out his friends, and he’d even help out a total stranger,” Kirk recalled. “He was a pretty nice, personable guy. He had a big moustache he was pretty famous for.”
Betz also was known for his warm support at Longview’s 1414 Club, which hosts 12-step programs for people battling substance abuse. He would chair meetings and buy newcomers a cup of coffee, said Sue F., a program volunteer. At least once, Betz opened his apartment to men who didn’t have a place to stay, she said.
“He was one of the good guys,” she said. “Always had a smile on his face, too.”
A memorial service for Betz will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the 1414 Club, 1414 12th Ave., Longview.
The logging community is mourning the loss of a skillful Longview timber cutter widely known for his kind nature, generous spirit and big moustache.
Robert “Bob” Betz, 54, was killed Saturday by a log that rolled down a steep slope at a remote logging site in Northwest Oregon. He died of head trauma and other injuries at the scene, despite the efforts of emergency medical workers to save him, said Curtis Nicholson, owner of Nicholson’s Contract Cutting and a good friend of Betz.
“A bad accident happened to a very good man,” a shaken Nicholson said Monday evening. “You could fall every timber faller in the world in a pile and Bob Betz would be at the top because he was, by far, the best man I’ve ever seen at this job.”
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened on Campbell Group property between the towns of Natal and Mist, about 13 miles south of Clatskanie. Betz was working as a subcontractor for Nicholson.
Nicholson said that from what he’s pieced together Betz cut in half a tree that was on the ground. One log rolled down the hill, but the other half of the tree didn’t move. Betz went down the slope to cut down trees, and about 45 minutes later, the second log crashed down on him, Nicholson said.
“He would never go under anything that was unsafe or that he knew wasn’t locked in solid,” Nicholson said. “He preached safety, and I do not know why this accident happened.”
Six other timber workers helped Mist Birkenfield Fire medics haul Betz on a stretcher to level ground. By the time a Life Flight helicopter landed, Betz was dead, Nicholson said.
Kelso resident Henry Amos, a retired timber faller, worked alongside Betz for many years. Many people are hurting at the news of his death, Amos said.
“Anyone would hire him. That’s the kind of cutter he was. ... He was just a perfectionist. He was a professional,” said Amos, 51. “The old school cutters, they’re all gone. He’s old school, broke in cutting old growth. ... You had to know what you were doing to cut big timber. You couldn’t just go out there and throw it down, slap it around.”
Betz moved to Washington more than 20 years ago from California, said Amos, who talked him into moving to Longview from the Aberdeen area because work prospects were better. Betz became a roommate and close family friend, Amos said.
“People cared for him. He was just a go-to guy. He would do anything in the world for you,” he said.
In 2002, Betz went through hard times and lived in Community House, Longview’s homeless shelter.
Community House office manager Owen Kirk said that while staying at the shelter Betz bought tools and equipment to start his own timber-cutting business.
“He left from here pretty successfully,” Kirk said.
Once back on his feet, Betz would return to Community House to pick up people for jobs. He bought some of them logging tools and boots. He taught four or five young men to make a living by falling timber, Amos said.
“He’s always helped out his friends, and he’d even help out a total stranger,” Kirk recalled. “He was a pretty nice, personable guy. He had a big moustache he was pretty famous for.”
Betz also was known for his warm support at Longview’s 1414 Club, which hosts 12-step programs for people battling substance abuse. He would chair meetings and buy newcomers a cup of coffee, said Sue F., a program volunteer. At least once, Betz opened his apartment to men who didn’t have a place to stay, she said.
“He was one of the good guys,” she said. “Always had a smile on his face, too.”
A memorial service for Betz will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the 1414 Club, 1414 12th Ave., Longview.
