Robert Charles Purkhiser

1926 - 2021

Robert Charles "Purk" Purkhiser passed away Jan. 21, 2021 at the age of 94, at home in the loving care of his youngest son, Rob. Purk was born June 18, 1926 in Portland, Ore. to Ross Salt Purkhiser and Lillian Elizabeth (Krogel) Purkhiser. His youth was spent between Oregon City and his Grandparents homestead in Dixonville. In 1943 he went to work for the U.S. Forest Service on the Umpqua National Forest as a fire lookout on Cinnamon Butte. In January 1944 he joined the U.S. Navy to fight in the South Pacific during WWII. After discharge in 1947, he moved to Everett, Wash. to work for his father, where he met the love of his life Rose Marie Clingman. They were married on March 31, 1950, a marriage that lasted 61 years until Rosie' passing in 2011. Purk went to work for Pacific Northwest Bell and they lived in Roseburg where their first son Richard was born in 1951. He passed away in 1952 from pneumonia. In 1954 Barbara was born, the family moved to Klamath Falls in 1956 for a temporary transfer and never left. In 1956 Jeanine was born followed in 1957 by David and in 1961 by Rob. Purk loved the Klamath Basin, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He taught youth shooting thru the NRA and was highly awarded in competitive shooting. As the boys grew, Purk became involved with South Suburban little league, coaching all stars to the Western Regionals, he continued to coach even after his sons aged up. Purk and Rosie were Amateur radio operators from 1950 until their passing and were involved in many community events over those years. Family vacations always included HAM campouts and trips to the Umpqua retired from PNB in 1985. Retirement was full of Salmon fishing trips to Gold Beach and adventures to Alaska and Hawaii. Family was the center of his life and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his light. He was predeceased by his loving wife Rosie; sons Richard and David; daughter Barbara and grandson Brandon. He is survived by his daughter, Jeanine Stork; son in-law John; his son Rob and daughter in law Tina, five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be planned later after Covid restrictions are down graded. The family would like to extend special thanks to the folks at High Desert Hospice for the fantastic care they provided in the last year.