A life on the go

HAUSER - Whether it was helping his community or enjoying the outdoors or sports, Robert "Buff" Desmarais only knew about life on the go.

The 65-year-old man, one of the founders of the Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition who lived in that area for 30 years, died during a whitewater rafting accident on Monday on the Owyhee River near Vale, Ore.

"He lived life to the fullest," his wife, Jo, said. "His summers were not complete unless he took a whitewater rafting trip."

Buff was also a stalwart on the homefront.

"He was the neighborhood handy man always willing to lend a helping hand," Jo said. "He took great enjoyment in his family and friends."

During the accident, Buff was in a two-person inflatable kayak that was knocked over on a rapid, according to the Malheur County Sheriff's Office. Both passengers were wearing personal floatation devices. While one of the passengers surfaced quickly, Buff remained under the water for about 15 minutes before surfacing.

The group was headed up by a river guide outfitter.

"From what I understand, the river was running high and fast," Jo said. "It appears to be a sheer accident of being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Buff, a custom cabinet maker, took pride in the Hauser community through the watershed coalition, participating in fundraisers, the rinse station and other projects, friends said. Jo is currently president of the nonprofit.

"He was one of the originators who said, 'We've got to take care of this lake,'" said Jim Wallace, who is also involved in the coalition.

Buff participated in local ATV clubs and, when his children were growing up, he was involved with the Lakeland Booster Club.

He loved to fish, hike, bike and watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Mariners.

"When I'd ask him what he's been up to, he'd say 10 to 15 things for just that week," friend John Wallis said. "He was always on the go and wanted to learn new things."

D.J. Nall knew Buff for more than 25 years.

"He can't have an enemy in the world," she said.

Wallace called Buff "a fun-loving character."

"He was always ready to embrace you with that Buffer smile," Wallace said. "That memory won't fade away."