(November 2, 1936 – July 3, 2020) Bob Gill had an early love for football. But it wasn’t until his 1953 senior season at Jefferson High School that he excelled.  As Tom DeSylvia’s first quarterback, Bob had an all-star season as the play caller and passer. It earned him a Shrine game selection and a football scholarship to Oregon State. After a short freshman season, head coach Kip Taylor was fired. That left Bob to focus on his pre-dental studies.  Football was not quite over, though. When a young Portland State team came calling for a quarterback, Bob played there one season.

We honor Bob tonight for his special contributions to Oregon sports and this event.

In 1987, Bob Gill became a board member for the State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. He worked with director Stan Link and discovered his great interest in sports history. For six years, he was the chairman of the selection committee. Bob’s research led to the publication of “It’s in Their Blood,” a history and legacies of 53 Oregon football coaches.

For 40 years, Bob believed in the NFF Scholar Athlete Program. As a historian, Bob successfully nominated Tommy Prothro, Neil Lomax and Ad Rutschman into the NFF College Hall of Fame. For 14 years, he presented the “Walk of Champions” award to champion high school coaches.

In 1998, Bob Gill provided the early leadership to return the North-South All-Star football game to Portland. With help from coaches and Neil Lomax’s company, Promax, they established the Les Schwab Bowl.  Bob established and presented the MVP trophy, the “George Shaw Award,” for 20 years.

In 1975, Bob’s creativity helped create Portland State’s top football trophy, “The Chuck Withers Award.” It is given annually at their banquet.

In 2010, Bob offered to write the story of Oregon and NFL legend, Mel Renfro. After 5 years of research and writing, the biography “Mel Renfro: Forever A Cowboy” was finished.  Bob dedicated the book to his wife, Faith, “his lifelong cheerleader.”

For his special contributions to Oregon sports, we welcome Dr. Bob Gill into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.