Robert Donald Neikes

Robert was born in Portland, Oregon, to Herman and Martha Neikes.

He married Elizabeth Judd in 1951, and they had five children. In 1976, he married Betty Jane Quinn.

Robert attended Reed College and Oregon State College. In 1943, he graduated from the College of Medicine at Creighton University in Nebraska.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps on the hospital ship USAHS Charles A. Stafford. Robert moved to Astoria, Oregon, in 1948, where he practiced medicine at the Doctor’s Clinic and Astoria Clinic.

As president of the Astor Library Construction Committee, he was instrumental in establishing the Astor Library, dedicated in October of 1967. His additional civic designations included serving as president of the Clatsop County Medical Society, the Civic and Community Concert Associations, and the Library Board of Trustees. He received the Astoria Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1968.

He delighted in reading, classical music, opera, fly fishing, and the outdoors, especially spending time at his farm in Jewell. In his later years, Robert volunteered at the Clatsop County Historical Society and as a tutor in Oregon’s SMART Reading Program (Start Making a Reader Today).

Robert is survived by his children, Martha (Gunther) Romanov, David Neikes, Tom (Joom) Neikes, Jim (Jackie) Neikes and Carrie Neikes; stepson, Peter (Anna) Quinn; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane; stepdaughter, Chris Quinn-Brintnall; siblings, Elsa Young, Fred Neikes and Art Neikes; and dear friend Florence Jacobson.

Please join his family to celebrate “Dr. Bob’s” life on Saturday, March 12, at 2 p.m. at the Barbey Maritime Center.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Astor Library, Clatsop County Historical Society, or SMART Reading program, on behalf of Robert Neikes.