The founder of Kenai River Sportfishing Association, Bob Penney passed away peacefully on Tuesday March 14th at the age of 90.
Bob Penney came to Alaska in 1951 and loved to fish on the Kenai River. According to a post from the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, his commitment to our great state and sportfishing will be enjoyed by generations of Alaskans to come.
In a video produced by River For Life and released online in February 2022, Penney stated;
“I’m 90 years old, and I look back over the 90 years, I’ve been very blessed in business and family and everything else but the driving thing that has been part of my life and my wife PJ will echo this, is working on the protection of the river.”
A statement released from his family states;
“Bob was a titan. Everything he did was for the betterment of his family and the state of Alaska. We are lucky that he advocated and pushed us all forward. We will miss him dearly. And as Bob would say, ‘God bless the Kenai!’” said his family.
Senator Lisa Murkowski released a statement about Penney;
“Today, Alaska lost a strong civic leader, the Kenai River lost a fierce protector, and my family and I lost a dear friend as Bob Penney passed after 90 years of a life well lived.
I’ve known Bob since I was a young girl and my husband, Verne, knew Bob before he knew me. We shared a love for fishing and the Kenai River is a special place for us because of Bob. For decades, Bob brought people together to not only fish the river, but to learn to care for it and its bounty. He worked with Senator Stevens to build the Kenai River Classic, and I later joined him to establish the Kenai Kids Classic and then the Kenai River Women’s Classic – fishing events designed to instill a love and appreciation for the amazing Kenai.
Bob was a sharp and smart businessman, and he was engaged in his community and a civics leader. He helped found the Resource Development Council of Alaska and the Mayor’s Charity Ball, but he seemed happiest when he was on the river, surrounded by friends and his family. I will miss the quiet moments flipping for reds, or enjoying a glass of good red wine around the fire pit talking politics and fish and family.
We are comforted that Bob’s legacy will continue on through his contributions to his community, through the Kenai River Sport Fishing Association, and through his strong and supportive family. To Jeannie, his kids, grandkids and great grands, know that our prayers are with you.”
Penney was survived by his wife PJ, their four grown children, ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Memorial service details will be forthcoming.
The family requests privacy while grieving the loss of their husband, father and grandfather at this time.
This is a developing story.
