The position of Best Father in the World has been vacated!  Robert Charles “Bob” Adkins passed away peacefully on January 9th at Hospice Savannah after 90 years and five months of devoted service to his family, community, and country.

Bob Adkins was born in Norwalk, Ohio, on July 14th, 1926, to Thomas Ward Adkins and Esther Marie Schauss. Bob met Edna “Eddie” Fishburne in Charleston and they married in 1956. Bob and Eddie were together for 60 wonderful years and had five children:  Robert Charles Junior and Robert Ward “Butch” both deceased, Julie married to David Southern with son Robby, Charles married to Melitta, and Amee married to Marcena Gabrielson with daughter Lynn. In addition to Bob’s immediate family, he was blessed with the loving company of Melissa Allan, Beatrix Colley, Gail Ewaldsen, Becky West, and countless other “adopted” children who have graced our home from Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, Windsurfing, and the Dog Park. Bob recently celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by friends and family at his Tybee home, CHAMJU. Nothing ever came between Bob and the needs of his family—whether it was building a go-cart from scratch, building a wing to the house for an orchid hobby, setting up bizarre science experiments in the living room, or just spending time on his bike with Amee. Bob was a beloved and devoted son, brother, husband, and father.

Bob Adkins served his community as an educator, church warden, volunteer, and he was always the first person to step up whenever anyone needed anything. Bob was an active volunteer in service to his adopted home town, Tybee Island. He served with the Optimist Club, American Legion, Tybee Lighthouse, and as a board member of the Tybee Historical Society. He was active in his church, serving as Junior Warden and ever-present usher at All Saints and numerous other local Episcopal churches. When teased about why he was never promoted to Senior Warden, his response was, “I like the Junior Warden position because the Junior Warden gets to fix things and do most of the work!”

Bob Adkins served his country faithfully and honorably. He graduated high school in 1943 and immediately enlisted in the Army. After World War II, Bob attended Bowling Green State University. He returned to the Army/Air Force in 1949 and retired as a Major in 1969. Bob was an avid pilot. He found much pleasure in delivering Piper Cubs across the US, often hitchhiking home to save his pennies. In the Air Force, Bob flew transport and search and rescue missions, served as a flight instructor and flight facilities officer, and ultimately achieved Command Pilot status. Through his service in the Air Force, the family enjoyed many memorable adventures. While stationed in France, Bob’s birthday wish was a ride through the country side, and we were awestruck by what we saw. Every town we traveled through had festivities and parades. Bob was indeed a very important man: every city was celebrating his birthday, July 14th, aka Bastille Day.

A memorial Eucharist to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Hospice Savannah. Otherwise, hug the person closest to you and share in Bob’s generosity of spirit.