Robert Winn Eggink died on January 28, 2018 at the age of 39. He was born March 8, 1978 in Eureka to Timothy and Robin Eggink. Robert, known as Bobby or little Bob as a child, was magnetic and fearless. People were drawn to Bobby and he was always the first to stand up for the underdog.

His father, Tim, died early in Bobby’s life, and he, his brother Andy, and their mother Robin were very close, spending their summers camping on the river with family. Summer camping trips to Grayback and Eagle Creek Campgrounds were a family tradition with his grandparents, aunts and uncles and eventually stepfather Lane, and stepbrothers Sean, Timmy and Jason. It was during these trips that Bobby’s uncle Robert taught him to flyfish, which was his first love when it came to fishing.

Bobby was a true outdoorsman, growing up flyfishing, deer and waterfowl hunting with his uncle Robert and grandfather Winn, and salmon fishing with his grandfather Andy. Close in age, Bobby and his brother Andy were best friends growing up, spending their time rafting the rivers, building forts, riding bikes, playing video games and watching movies, like many other kids of the 1980s. Bobby’s father, Tim, was a natural musician, and passed this to Bobby, who picked up a guitar and began to play, it seems, all in one day.

Bobby enjoyed sports. He was an original skateboarder and built a forty-foot halfpipe in the backyard when he was eleven. He also played football, but basketball was his favorite. Bobby was a natural shooter and he played pickup games wherever he went through his final days. He used to laugh about showing up the 20-year-olds on the basketball court.

Bobby attended Arcata Christian School and public schools in Arcata and Mckinleyville. He graduated high school from Christian Encounter Ranch in Grass Valley, Calif. It was at “The Ranch” that Bobby became Rob, and his heart became God’s. Rob worked hard at the Ranch, eventually becoming a Ranch foreman. After leaving the Ranch, Rob went to work in construction for a brief time before deciding that he wanted to “give back” to Christian Encounter Ranch. He went back as an intern where he was able to directly help students with his God-given mentorship and positive attitude.

It was during this time at the Ranch that he met the love of his life, Lorri Bailey. Rob and Lorri were married May 8, 2004 at her grandparents’ home in Alabama. They began their married life in Grass Valley before relocating to Huntsville, Ala. then eventually to Redding. Rob and Lorri have three children – Sadie Beth (age 10), Westin Chase (age 7), and Lucy Reen (age 4). They were the light of his life and filled his heart with love. Rob was a family man, and his favorite times were those spent with his wife and kids out on the lake, camping, or just around the dinner table laughing and talking. His young family will greatly miss his strong spirit and the joyfulness of his music. The kids loved dancing around and playing harmonica and drums while he played guitar.

Rob was a hard worker, working for others in construction until he became a general contractor and started his own business, Accurate Build Construction. Rob enjoyed his work, he had an eye for detail, and made beautiful finished projects.

Robert is survived by his wife, Lorri; daughters, Sadie and Lucy; son, Westin; mother and stepfather, Robin and Lane Hoffman; brother and sister-in-law Andy and Lynn Eggink and their children, Anthony and Victoria; aunts and uncles Karen and Bill Frazee, Robert and Laura Chase, Linda and Jim Hall, Chris and Stan Thompson; stepbrothers Sean and Jason Hoffman; in-laws, Steven and Shirley Bailey, Rebecca and Erle Seale, Marrell Whitman, Leslie and Ben Finger; and many beloved cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Timothy Eggink; his grandparents, Winn and Lorraine Chase and Andy and Bea Eggink; and his stepbrother, Timothy Hoffman.

Rest in peace, sweet Rob … you made this world a better place.

Celebration of Life
Saturday Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.
Wesleyan Church of Redwoods
1645 Fischer Ave
McKinleyville, CA 95519

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Rob Eggink’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.