Robert Humphries

Humphries, Robert
It is with Deep regret that we announce the passing of Rev. Robert Humphries, William Robert Humphries, or Bob, Prince Bishop of the Church of the Adrogyne, and founder of the United States Mission. Rev. Humphries left his earthly plane on January 30, 2002, due to a heart attack. Born on April 24, 1934, and raised in Bisbee, Arizona, Robert Humphries, was the kind of person who only comes along once in a 100 years. Finding an overwhelming need among the poor in Los Angeles he and a group of his friends, turned an ideal, into one of the oldest organizations still in existence in the Gay and Lesbian Community. Thus in 1962, the United States Mission was born. The Mission provides shelter, food, clothing, self-help, and transitional housing for those in need, as well as meals and other services to the elderly. His legacy lives on in facilities in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento, Salinas, Modesto, Portland, Oregon, Seattle Washington, San Antonio Texas, Houston Texas, Phoenix Arizona, Kansas City Missouri, Omaha Nebraska, Pahoa Hawaii and the Missions Corporate headquarters in Fresno California. Rev. Humphries was a pioneer in supporting the Gay Liberation Movement, CO-founding and participating in the Christopher Street West March, he became a force in the fight for Civil Rights for all. He was often interviewed about his beliefs, and his program of ``People Helping People," he stated, ``It's not our purpose to build ivory towers for ourselves." He preserved in his beliefs, and found many others who helped make his program become larger and stronger, and become the first organization of its kind to be officially commended, not only be the mayor of Los Angeles, but the city council, Human Relations Commission and the California State Assembly. He had a remarkable, ability not to judge or give up on any one, and as he leaves behind no blood relatives, he will be mourned and dearly missed by the family, his forty years of ministry created. A memorial service will be held on April 17, 2:00 P.M., at The Metropolitan Community Church in West Hollywood, 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., (Santa Monica/Westbourne...West of La Cienega). Services to be conducted by Rev. Humphries long time friend, Rev. Troy D. Perry. Donations, in lieu of flowers, will be most welcomed by the United States Mission, in the name of Reverend Humphries.