Bob Perkins

Bob Perkins with Astronauts Gordon Cooper and Stu Roosa

Bob Perkins (right) with Astronauts Gordon Cooper (left) and Stuart Roosa (center) as they prepare for their hunting trip.

In 1966 it was his warm and friendly personality that turned a chance meeting into exciting, and fascinating years of association with U.S. astronauts Charles Duke and the late Stuart Roosa. Bob met the space men on a geology field trip in Bend. Their mutual interests in hunting, fishing and golf spawned a friendship that literally spanned the universe. This friendship resulted in many pleasant hours in duck blinds, in the mountains, along streams, and out on lakes. A wall lined with treasures from the two men's voyages in space attest to their friendship: the flag Charles Duke carried to the moon aboard Apollo 16 and a note from Stuart Roosa that says "To Bob the greatest, I'm so glad you shared these moments with me". It came with a patch that Stuart wore on his suit in the command module of Apollo 14. Coincidentally, Charles Duke's birthday was the same date as Bob's and they celebrated many birthdays together. Bob spent the night with Stuart Roosa's family when Roosa went to the moon. He also stayed with Mrs. Duke when Charles Duke was traveling on the moon. In 1968 Bob was active in bringing some of the astronauts to the Bar Area for an elk hunting trip. This trip brought wide spread publicity to Coos County. Since then the astronauts have visited often.

Bob Perkins was 94, when he died November 13th, 2003, at his home after a long illness.

Bob Perkins was born October 3, 1908, to Albert and Annie Carrie Perkins in Canton, Illinois. After he completed his education in Canton, he moved to Chicago. While working in his brother's pharmacy, he developed a desire to be in show business. He soon met Alice, his wife of many years who passed away in 1981. They traveled throughout the United Sates doing a famous mind-reading act. After thousands of traveling miles, they retired in Brookings, Oregon. Bob became involved in real estate and owned a lily field. He also became very involved in the Curry County area and arranged the first Azalea Festival in Brookings. While living in Brookings, he was introduced to Barbershop singing. He cherished his free time fishing and hunting with friends.

In 1952 Bob moved to Coos Bay where he headed the Urban Renewal Department. He joined Joe Fitzpatrick Realty and enjoyed many years as a successful real estate agent. In 1965 he purchased the Timber Inn Restaurant and Timber Lodge Motel from his friend Matthew Fitzgerald. He sold the properties to Gordon Joelson in 1985. He was active in many organizations and was instrumental in the formation of the Bay Area Barbershop Choral groups. He served as the master of ceremonies for hundreds of their events throughout Southwestern Oregon, Seattle and British Columbia. He served as President of the Oregon Restaurant Association. He was a member of the Coos Bay Pirates and served as Chief Skull. He served as a member of the Bar Area Hospital Board and was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 56 years. He was a former member of the Lions Club. He was Past President of the Coos County Mental Health Association. He organized the Pageant of Progress with the late Phil Waters. He was a contributor to the University of Oregon Foundation President's Circle.

The late Governor Tom McCall appointed him to the Oregon Recreation Trails Council. He served on this board for 8 years. During that period he designed and helped construct the trails that go from Sunset Beach to Cape Arago. He considered this a labor of love for the Coos Bay Area. In 1978 Bob was selected as Bay Area Citizen of the Year. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited for many years. He fished the ocean and streams, hunted big game and upland game. He was a great river man and sportsman. He was fond of fly tying and was a member of the Fly Fisherman Association of Portland. He was selected by the Bay Area Sportsmen Association to their Hall of Fame in 1987.

Along with the many contributions Bob gave to the Coos Bay Area, he and his close friend the late Phil Waters were instrumental in bringing professional basketball to Coos Bay including the Los Angeles Lakers in an exhibition game.

Bob attended 16 master golf tournaments in Augusta, Georgia. He designed and developed a golf course in his backyard called "Perkins Petite Pitch and Putt" which the Golf Journal published an article about in 1974. He loved to spend time in his backyard and entertain his many golf friends.

When the late Hope Cahill was directing "The Music Man" at the Little Theatre on the Bay, Bob invited Meredith Wilson, who wrote "The Music Man", to come to Coos Bay for a fishing trip. He then encouraged him to accompany him to the production. Mr. Wilson was introduced to many invited guests at a reception at the Timber Inn. This resulted in a lengthy friendship until Mr. Wilson's death. He presented Bob with an original unpublished score, "The American Legion March". He also presented Bob with several books he had published. Bob cherished these gifts until the end of his life.

He was the owner of the Angelos Pizza Parlors located in Northern California, Medford and Ashland. He also had an interest in real estate in the Neskowin area.