Dr. Robert "Bob" Brinker

Dr. Robert "Bob" Brinker July 16, 1916 - April 7, 2009 DALLAS - Bob Brinker, 92, of Dallas took his final van ride through the daffodil laden countryside Tuesday, April 7 and peacefully went home to a better place. Robert Earl Brinker was born July 16, 1916 in Easton, Pennsylvania, the eighth of nine children, to Edward and Flora Brinker Jr. He thrived in a family active in the outdoors and early on developed a competitive nature and a love for fishing, hunting and camping at the family cabin on Lake Grinnell. A "135 pound weakling" upon high school graduation, nicknamed Dave in his younger years, he soon discovered the rewards of weightlifting and began a regimen of training which he continued throughout his life. Shortly before the war, Bob met the love of his life Dereatha Dalrymple, known to all as Dee. Actually his Dad set up the "meeting". Though war intervened on their relationship, they were married on September 15, 1942. During the war, Bob served with the Coast Guard stationed at Curtis Bay, Maryland. After the war, Bob and Dee and infant daughter, Linda, moved to the Chicago area where he enrolled in National College of Chiropractic. During Bob's years in the service and in college he continued to lift weights. He won numerous competitions, was the mid-Atlantic light heavyweight champion, and was most proud of leading the National College of Chiropractic, a small, dark horse competitor, to the NCAA weightlifting championship. After college graduation and state board exams, Bob and Dee decided not to return to Pennsylvania but set off for Oregon with their travel trailer and all their belongings. Bob had heard the fishing and hunting in Oregon were beyond compare so they headed west away from family and friends to set up his chiropractic practice and raise their family. They settled in Dallas in late 1950 after exploring towns and cities throughout Oregon. The family thrived. Daughters, Alma and Margie, and son, David, joined the brood. Dee's mother, Mabel, moved to Oregon to make the family complete. Bob's practice was a great success. He was a dedicated caregiver to his patients and his patients praised him. He was active in the Oregon Association of Chiropractic Physicians, serving as state president. He was appointed by Governor Tom McCall to the state board of Chiropractic Examiners. He was named Oregon Chiropractor of the Year in 1981. He retired in 1981 after 30 years of practice in Dallas. Bob's involvement was not limited to professional circles, but included church and several civic and service organizations. He and Dee were active members of the Dallas United Methodist Church. Among his proudest accomplishments was chairing the building committee for the current church building and planting all the giant sequoias around the property. (An abundance of tall trees are a legacy at all his former homes.) He was also involved in Masons, the American Legion, and various other service organizations. One of Bob's most identifiable traits was his loud, infectious laughter. He was a "people person". His laughter echoed through a room. He never seemed to get any less enjoyment out of a joke even if it was the twentieth time he had heard it. He thrived on entertaining, teasing and caring for everyone. Bob was perhaps Oregon's greatest promoter. His love for the state never faltered. Christmas letters bragged of majestic mountains and sparkling lakes and rivers filled with wildlife. Summer weekends were spent at "the Lake" (Triangle or Devil's). He enjoyed swimming, water skiing, boating, fishing, dancing, and campfire fun. Fall and winter weekends held camping, fishing for steelhead and salmon, and rifle or archery hunting for deer and elk. The family was truly blessed to be able to share their Dad's love of Oregon experiencing it in all its abundance and beauty. Besides camping, Bob and Dee also enjoyed a trip to Hawaii, winters in Desert Hot Springs, and their motor home trip around the United States visiting family and friends in Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Wyoming. Bob and Dee retired to Lincoln City in 1981, living on Devil's Lake and later on Drift Creek. They were members of the Lincoln City Elks and Miracle Milers. Life wasn't always kind to Bob. Dee suffered a brain aneurysm in 1980 which left her in a coma from which the doctors said she would not recover. Bob stuck by her side and nursed her back to health. Though she was limited, with Bob's help she enjoyed several more years with the family. They were able to spend several winters in Desert Hot Springs and to take their motor home trip together. In 1991, oldest daughter, Linda, died of a brain aneurysm. In 1994, youngest daughter, Margie, was killed in a car accident. In 1997, first grandson, Jason, died of Wegener's Granulomatosis, a rare inflammatory disease. In 1996, Dee suffered a severe stroke which left her bedridden and dependent on tube feeding. During the next five years her condition deteriorated further until her death in 2001. During all of this time Bob dedicated himself totally to her care. Bob returned to Dallas in 2004 to be near his family. This brilliant, caring man with gusto for life was dealt another bitter blow as dementia overtook him. He spent the final few years of his life being lovingly cared for by the staff at the Dallas Retirement Village in Assisted Living and later in the memory care unit. Though his disease diminished his abilities he remained a caregiver where possible and still brought a smile to others faces with an occasional smile or twinkle in his eye. One of the few things that brought him joy toward the end of his life on this earth was the Tuesday van ride with his fellow memory care residents. On his final ride he simply closed his eyes and with a smile on his face went home. The campfire that night in heaven was a joyous time of reunion and his laughter surely reverberated among the stars. Bob is survived by daughter, Alma Reimer (Stan); and son, David (Sally) of Dallas; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren that all love and idolize him. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 1 at the Dallas United Methodist Church. Contributions may be given to the church in Bob's memory in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are by Dallas Mortuary and Tribute Center.