Cass Robertson Vanderwiele

Cass Robertson Vanderwiele, 75, was born on September 2nd, 1946. He left this earth, after a long battle with cancer, on July 11th, 2022.
Cass always loved to play in the dirt, which made a lot of sense because his parents, Julius, and Marie Vanderwiele, were the children of early excavating people here in Baker County.
He went first to Catholic school and then to Baker High. During those school years, he worked in his grandparents' gravel pits near what is now the Sun Ridge Motel. He would shuttle trucks to job sites when he wasn't in the pit. This may not have been strictly legal, but things were done a little differently back then, right?
After graduating high school, Cass went to Eastern Oregon College. He then moved to Pendleton and attended Blue Mountain Community College. There he met Patience Jane Miller, the love of his life. After a brief three-month courtship, on September 9th, 1967, they were married.
They lived, briefly, in LaGrande, then moved back to Baker, where they had their first son, Cass Christopher (Casey) Vanderwiele.
Over the years, Cass worked at many different places. Among those were: the City of Baker, Sackos Excavating, and Babbler Brothers (Baker Redi-Mix.) For a short time, he owned Cass Vanderwiele Excavating.
His son Corey Michael Vanderwiele was born on January 10th, 1978. Then in 1980, he went to work for a long-time friend, Howard Logsdon, building forest roads.
The family moved into his parents' home in 1984, after both his father and mother passed away.
After Casey graduated in 1988, Corey asked why Cass was always gone during the week. Subsequently, in May of 1989, he started Triple C Redi-Mix, as a family business. Cass absolutely loved working with his wife, sons, and daughter-in-law, Tara. In September of 2021, the business name changed to Triple C Redi-Mix, dba Sand & Gravel.
He greatly enjoyed interacting with people in the community and on projects of all sizes. During his many years at Triple C, he loved nothing more than being in the pit, on a Cat dozer, or on an excavator.
Though he worked hard for his family, he always made time for various boards throughout Baker County. He held the office of president for both OCAPA and ICAPA. He shared the advice and knowledge he'd gained over many years of earth moving and shaping. Throughout his lifetime, he was the recipient of many awards, the highlight of which was the Rocky Award through OCAPA.
Cass was preceded in death by his mother, father, many family members, and several recent career-long friends. To carry out his legacy, he leaves his wife, two sons, a daughter-in-law; his two beloved granddaughters, Dawson and Campbell, and his grandson by employment, Jordan Morrison.
There will be a Celebration of Life/Anniversary Celebration, for Cass, on September 10, 2022, from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM at the Thomas Angus Party Barn, 42734 Old Trail Road, Baker City, OR 97814. Friends and loved ones are welcome to stop by at your convenience between those times. It will be a time to visit with Cass's family and offer them love, support, and condolences.
Memorial contributions can be directed to: Colton Accounting, on Church Street, in Baker.
Cass loved making sure the children of Baker, who were in need, had a great Christmas. A foundation will be created to honor his wishes in his name.
The family would like to thank everyone who has reached out with condolences, and heartfelt words of endearment, for Cass. We have been overwhelmed by your kindness, which truly is a testament to his character and what he meant to this little Eastern Oregon town.