November 8, 1929 – April 28, 2021

On Wednesday, April 28, 2021, Robert (Bob) Calkins, longtime resident of Glenn County, loving father of four children, passed away at age 91.

Bob was born on November 8, 1929, in San Pedro, CA. He attended San Pedro High School where he was active in the Pessimists Club and played varsity football. He went on to graduate from Compton Junior College in 1950.

That same year Bob joined the United States Marine Corps, completed two tours in Korea while attached to a USMC Air Wing. While still in Korea Bob tested and successfully passed the entrance exam for the Los Angeles Police Department. After being honorably discharged from the USMC, Bob joined the L.A.P.D. While with L.A.P.D. Bob attended Los Angeles State College and graduated in 1959, with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree.

During Bob’s 25 years with L.A.P.D., he worked Traffic, Motors, Metro, Vice, Robbery Homicide, Officer Involved Shootings, and Major Crimes. Bob was assigned as the Senior Detective in the Tate/LaBianca murders during the 1969 Manson crime spree. Bob and his police partner were mentioned several times in the book “Helter Skelter.” In addition, Bob worked on the investigation into the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. And, the kidnapping of Patricia Hearst, granddaughter of the wealthy newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.

Bob retired from L.A.P.D. in 1979, and relocated to Orland, in Glenn County. Once retired, Bob stated several times that he was finished with law enforcement. That sentiment held only until he was offered a job as the Evidence Technician with the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office. Bob spent another 18 years with G.C.S.O. doing what he loved to do. He has gone on record more than once stating that his favorite part of being with G.C.S.O. was being able to help mentor new deputies.

In Bob’s final years, he spent on all the things he loved: working outside around his house, gardening, watching sports on the television, FOX news, feeding and naming stray cats who came to visit him, but most important to him was spending quality time with his family and friends.

Bob had a big heart, he was the type to help anyone in need, cared about his neighbors, and valued relationships, especially weekly coffee time with his friend. His children were raised to appreciate the American Flag and what it stood for, and always knew what the tears in his eyes represented every time he saluted during the National Anthem and the Marine Corps Hymn.

Bob is survived by Betty Schaff, his loving companion of 34 years and his four children: Tim Calkins, Chris Harper, Carrie Dawes and Matt Calkins; nine grandchildren: Brett, Derek, Lance, Kelli, Kayla, Ethan, Hayley, Willow, and Wyatt; and four great-grandchildren: Hayden, Dyllan, Everly and Hazel Ann.