We received word from Pam Kylstra, Bob Atkins daughter, that Bob died at noon, Wednesday, February 10. He was 95.
Bob was the last living founding member of the United Church of Gainesville. He was a crucial part of the group that in 1964 put an ad in the Florida Alligator to see if anyone was interested in forming a liberal church in Gainesville. Fifty people showed up at the union. It was a time when neither schools nor churches in Gainesville were integrated. The Vietnam war was just beginning, and this small group wanted a church that was open to all people and willing to address the issues of race, peace, and social justice.
Once gathered they asked different denominations to consider accepting them. Bob had background in the United Church of Christ, and they welcomed this fledgling group and funded their beginning.
Bob and his first wife Chloe were the first moderators of UCG. And Bob was a key part of the committee that wrote the Compact.
Bob and Chloe raised their three children, John, Robert, Ainsley in the church.
When I was interviewed to be UCG’s second minister in the summer of 1973, Bob was on the search committee. He stood out with his kindness and his very searching questions, especially about God. In fact, when he asked me what I believed about God, I in turn asked each search committee member what they believed about God. That I was able to get the committee talking about God was enough for Bob. At that point he thought that I, at age 29, could handle the church.
When Sandy and I arrived in January of 1974, our moving van had brought only the last things we packed, non-essentials like China and winter clothes. Church members brought us casseroles and dinners. Bob, recently divorced, brought us a ham. The next week he took us out for a fantastic dinner at the Beef and Bottle.
On Christmas Eve, 1974, I performed the wedding of Bob and Pat Kylstra in the front room of the Presbyterian Student Center where UCG worshiped at the time. Pat brought her children, Pam and Eric, into Bob’s life, and they became his children as well.
Bob always had the church at the center of his life. His kindness was endless. At the same time, he was always questioning, always seeking. When the church was smaller, “Time for Sharing “was after the sermon, and it was an opportunity for open response to the sermon and service. Bob often came forward with a healthy and helpful “On the other hand” comment.
Bob and Pat hosted a foreign exchange student from Germany in the 1980’s. His name was Christoph Seubert. It was such a powerful experience for Christoph that he returned to UF for med school and stayed here.
He and his wife Charlotte also became part of Bob and Pat’s family. They even bought the house where Christoph had lived with Bob and Pat when the Atkins moved on.
Bob and Pat moved to Portland, Oregon to be near Pat’s extended family when Bob was in his late 80’s. They lived in a beautiful senior citizens’ high rise with an assisted living option available. In his 90’s Bob moved into the assisted living part to help him with his gradual slide into dementia.
I talked with Pat last spring and she said that even in his dementia, his kindness continued. If he met someone coming down the hall without a walker, he would offer his.
Many things can and will be said about Bob, but it’s simply time to remember him, his life, and his gift of the United Church of Gainesville. Without him, it would not be what it is today.
Pat Atkins
2545 SW Terwilliger Blvd. #934
Portland, Oregon 97201
971-409-7430
Thanks Larry … You brought Bob Atkins right into my heart. I pictured This person working through all of our Evolution as UCG today. I am grateful & wanted to extend my full heart to all who knew & worked with him to create our Sanctuary of Love as we now know it to be. Eleanor Nurallah
That’s a beautiful tribute, Larry, and it was interesting to learn more about the early years of our church and one of its founders. I hope you are well, K
What a beautiful memoir. I came to UCG in 1982. Bob was one of the first person’s i met at UCG. I felt so welcomed and safe around him. He exuded kindness and humility and also had a wonderful laugh. He always made me smile. I remember him now with smiles and tears and hold him and his family in my heart. Fondly, Teresa
The Atkins’ were some of the first people that welcomed us into the UCG in 1993, and continued to be kind, helpful and supportive. I was fascinated by Bob’s interest in science. He had a company that made thermocouple bolometers (a thermometer). He introduced me into The Atheneum, a gathering of folks that met weekly to hear talks about a diverse and eclectic range of topics. As perhaps most people know, he was the lifetime Chair of the Men’s lunch group, elected in absentia.
I regret that Bob Atkins must be relegated to memory. But it is a memory that reminds everyone to be kind and supportive, warm and cheerful.
Requiescat in Pacem.
Bob was a warm and smiling presence at UCG. He also reached out during our open and affirming process to learn more about what it meant to be LGBT. He and Bill Gallagher and I would meet for our early LGBT potlucks.
Thank you to this wonderful spirit who helped our church focus on unabashed kindness. People like him had courage and love for everyone. It helped and will continue to help show us how to live. Blessings to his family and their good works!
That was beautiful Larry. I’d love to send Pat a card, could u please send me her address? Thanks, Priscilla
Thank you for the remembrance, Larry. In addition to everything else, I have so many fond memories of Bob Atkins and his service to the youth of UCG. Blessings to Pat and all of their family.
Bob’s smile was indeed an invitation to us all to join him in joy. For a long while he has been one of the last of the “founders” of the church. I wonder, is Ward Noyes still around? My husband Ray had given Bob some emotional support when he was at an especially low point in his life and Bob never forgot that. Fast forward many years Ray, after his retirement, did consulting work for Atkins Technical, bringing them together once again. It was a close and mutually respectful relationship. And I was always the recipient of big smiles and hugs. His leadership and his loving attention will be missed.
Tom and I were at UCG from 74-96 and Bob and Pat were one of those couples just ahead of us in age that we all looked up to. Bob was not only friendly and a great listener but his thoughtful insights came with a confident voice that was as close to God as I could imagine.
We have thought of Bob and Pat and missed them both since they moved to Oregon. He died in his sleep- at peace.
Len and I and our three young sons joined UCG in 1967, and Bob welcomed us warmly. I completely agree with all the positive things said about him. He was always friendly and supportive and was particularly kind and helpful to me when Len and I separated in 1980 and later divorced. I have very fond memories of Bob’s presence and involvement with UCG.