Robin Elizabeth Buhl

May 8, 1974 – October 5, 2024

Robin Elizabeth Buhl, of Portland, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospital near midnight on October 5, 2024, after a short illness. Her long-time partner, Soss, was at her bedside. Robin was born May 8, 1974, in South Vietnam and came to Oregon in April, 1975, to join her other adopted siblings in the Columbia Gorge. Robin attended St. Mary’s Academy in The Dalles, The Dalles Junior High School and Wood Middle School (after she and her family moved to the Willamette Valley), West Linn High School, and Oregon State University. She endeared herself to teachers and her fellow classmates with her diligent work and kind gestures, frequently leaving people artistic notes and small gifts to make them feel appreciated. She was always a coveted member of school project groups because her impeccable handwriting and design skills guaranteed a beautiful result. After college, Robin worked in various technology-related jobs in and around Portland. Most recently, she worked as a Business Analyst at Freightliner and Daimler Truck North America for over a decade, where she was beloved.

From her earliest years, Robin was known for her special ability to make friends, her endless generosity, and her deep compassion for others. She had a wide network of friends to which she was continually adding — she was the glue that brought families and friends together, which will have an impact long after she is gone. Robin was a phenomenal gift giver, her gifts always perfectly reflecting the tastes of the receiver. She also had a magical ability to know exactly when to offer help to someone in need. Many friends and family have stories of being graciously welcomed into Robin’s home, whether to wait out a snow storm for a night or to survive a hard time for a few months; they were unfailingly greeted with a pristinely made-up bed, a full set of towels, great meals, and a shoulder to lean (or cry) on.

Robin’s attention to detail and crafty bent were legendary. As a child, she enjoyed sewing in 4-H and made full outfits which she modeled at the county fair. Her holiday table decorations were surpassed by none. During cherished annual family vacations to Hood Island in British Columbia, she passed hours with her siblings and cousins collecting shells, sea glass, and driftwood to make art, which she of course gifted to those close to her. When Robin and her siblings were old enough to be left alone, she would become the parental figure even though she was the middle child, leading a cleaning spree before their parents came home and always being frustrated that her siblings were not as conscientious as she was.

Robin got so much joy from life and from the outdoors. She was a fearless athlete who completed the Portland Marathon and always beat everyone in her family down the ski slope. Her Hood to Coast Relay teammates were thankful to have her in their van because she helped keep the mood light, even at three in the morning, and brought plenty of gummy worms to share with everybody. In recent years, Robin loved frequent camping trips with her many friends and Soss’s family.

All who knew Robin will have a small part of their hearts missing forever. Robin was preceded in death by her adored cat, Asia. She is survived by her parents, Kathy and Walt; her siblings Erik, Laura, Anne, and Ariel; her nieces Alex, Seriah, Izzy, and Addy; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; countless friends; and her devoted partner Soss Vongthong and the entire Vongthong family, who loved her pure soul and embraced her unconditionally as their own.

A memorial service to celebrate Robin’s life will be held at The Old Church in Portland (1422 SW 11th Ave.) on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 1:00 pm. Those who wish to remember Robin’s life and love of animals through a donation may send a donation in her name to the Cat Adoption Team (catadoptionteam.org).