Robert (Bob) Oakes Medical Funds

Early Saturday morning, my sister, Anna Oakes, brother in law Robert (Bob) Oakes and their family suffered a garage fire. Beyond luck, their home suffered little damage. Anna, her three daughters and their dog have managed to walk away unharmed. Unfortunately, Anna’s husband, my brother in law, Bob was not so lucky. He had fallen asleep in the garage the prior night and was awoken to the flames. Bob managed to remove himself from the burning garage and was still conscious when the paramedics arrived and still when arriving at Avera in Aberdeen. Bob suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns to about 15% of his body including his face, neck, chest, forearms and back. Bob is reported to be stable but is under heavy sedation and was intubated with concern for his esophagus and lungs as they had already started to swell due to smoke inhalation. Bob has since been transferred to the Region’s Hospital Burn Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota to assist in him healing and getting the best care he can. At this time we are unsure on how long of stay will be required completely but we have been told likely a minimum of two weeks is to be expected. Not taking in account of the recovery that may be needed once returning to Aberdeen.

The Oakes family as a whole has a long road together through this, but Bob especially.

Bob works for Liens Construction, so his summer months are an extremely busy and important time for work for him. Between the medical expenses this family faces, travel costs and being down paychecks this family relied on heavily, this family is going to feel this financial difficulty. We are in hopes between insurances (both home and medical) we can see a portion of this handled but as we all know to well I am sure, we understand that, those two will not cover it all.

We are opening this fundraiser to hopefully help alleviate even just a small portion of the expenses they might look to face. We understand that a donation is not in everyone’s budget, but at very least we ask to keep Bob in your thoughts and prayers as well as his family as they work to heal. We are beyond thankful that this event didn’t take more from this family. That Bob is expected to make a full recovery in time, with the possibility of some scaring and potential surgery down the road. But all in all, together they will overcome this too. ♥️ from Bob and his family, we thank everyone for your support, thoughts and prayers. ♥️ Bob is strong and will prevail.