Robert Lee Bob Akins

Published 12:31 am Thursday, November 27, 2014

Mar. 24, 1923 – Nov. 13, 2014

Robert Lee Bob Akins died Thursday, November 13, 2014 in a car accident while returning from his annual elk hunting trip.

He was 91 years old.

Bob was born March 24, 1923 in Portland, Oregon to Fred Akins and Marie Godbout Akins. He grew up in the Grandview area and went on to enjoy an 80+ year friendship with Red Nance, who passed away recently.

Bob served in the U.S. Navy as a Chief Motor Machinist Mate aboard escort vessels. While in the Navy, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Dot Jackson. They were married July 4, 1943 and lived in Bristol, VA. After leaving the Navy, Bob worked on the South Holston Dam Project in Bristol as well as helping Dot’s father on the family farm. They had one daughter, Gilda, in April 1947. In 1950 the family moved to Bend.

Bob worked in a lumber mill for a few years and with his brother, Dick drilling water wells. He then worked as a powder- monkey for Jack Robinson & Sons for 20+ years. He was very good at making things go “boom”. He retired in the early ‘80’s.

Bob’s favorite pastime was cutting firewood, and deer and elk hunting. Before one hunting season would end, he would be planning for “next year”. For many, many years now, his very special friends, Keith Newton and Dave Newton were his hunting partners and protectors. For that, the family is eternally grateful.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Fred Jr., Vernon, and Dick; sisters, Dorothy and Violet; and his life- long love, Dot.

He is survived by their daughter, Gilda Sumner and her husband, Jim. He was “Pops” to grandsons, Jimmie Edwards, Jr., and James Sumner; great- grandsons, Chad Edwards, Kolby Edwards and Justin Sumner; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be made in his name to the wildlife projects of Oregon Hunters Association, OHA Memorial Wildlife Fund, PO Box 1706 Medford, OR 97501.

To leave an online condolence for Bobs family, please visit www.deschutes memorialchapel.com.

Bob Akins