La Grande businessman, civic leader dies at 79

La Grande has lost one of its best known and popular businessmen and community leaders.

Bob Wilkins, 79, died Thursday in Lake Oswego.

Wilkins was a man whose life was devoted to reaching out to the community, said Carol Tate of the La Grande Lions Club, which Wilkins was a longtime member of.

Wilkins had been a member of the Lions since at least the late 1950s when he served as governor of the Lions’ Eastern Oregon District G region.

Dave Hallmark of the La Grande Lions Club said Wilkins was a great person to know because of his honesty.

“You always knew where you stood. He was upfront. He said it the way it was,’’ Hallmark said.

Wilkins was best known to many as the owner of Wilkins Insurance Agency, which he operated for decades. He also owned Abstract & Title Co., which he owned from 1988 to 2005. Dennis Watterson worked for Wilkins for 13 years at Abstract & Title.

“He was always upbeat, a very astute businessman and just a very nice guy,’’ said Watterson, who is now office manager of Abstract & Title.

Watterson marveled at how Wilkins remained positive even in the face of life’s trying times.

“I don’t think I ever saw Bob down,’’ Watterson said.

Wilkins was an ardent University of Oregon football fan. A season ticket holder, he traveled to many of the Ducks’ home and away games. Wilkins played for the Ducks football team many years ago while attending the University of Oregon.

The many highlights of Wilkins’ life included when he  brought renowned television star Raymond Burr to La Grande in 1988.

Burr came as a spokesperson for Independent Insurance Agents of America. He visited

La Grande as a result of a promise he made to Wilkins at a national meeting of independent insurance agents a few years earlier. Burr told Wilkins that before he left his job as a spokesman for the Independent Insurance Agents of America he would visit La Grande.

Burr came to La Grande May 24, 1988. He met with several dozen people at the old Fong’s tea house restaurant, Wilkins told The Observer earlier this year. Burr posed for dozens of photographs with area residents.

Wilkins retired as an insurance agent sometime between 2000 and 2003. Even in retirement he remained an active member of the Lions Club.

“He was involved in every project we had,’’ said Cheryl Hafer, a member of the La Grande Lions Club.

He sold wreathes, helped with the Lions vision program, rang bells for the Salvation Army and more.

“A lot of people in retirement back away (from involvement in Lions activities) but not Bob,’’ Hallmark said.

Funeral services have not yet been announced. A full obituary will be be published next week. Daniels-Knopp is handling arrangements.