The Extraordinary Rob Blickensderfer
by Jennifer Sunseri for Paddler’s View
September 29, 2024
Rob on the John Day to celebrate his 85th birthday. Photo: Horst Lueck.
Last June some of us joined Rob Blickensderfer on a pleasant paddle around Cheadle Lake in Lebanon in honor of his 95th birthday.
Wow. Ninety-five, and still getting out there! But Rob Blickensderfer has a real legacy in Oregon whitewater kayaking and canoeing that is belied by a mellow float on a man-made lake. Words like extraordinary belong to this man, who pioneered many runs in Oregon, paddling a canoe or a kayak with enviable grace and confidence.
He also pushed the boundaries of what is doable as time marches on. For example, as recently as two years ago, into his 10th decade, he was still self-supporting on the North Fork John Day with friends.
Rob in his red Prijon on the NF John Day circa 2021. Photo: Jennifer Sunseri
In January of 2023 at the age of 94 he ran the class 2+ Upper Calapooia. Of interest is that, back in the day, he is the one who gave Dollar Drop its name!
Rob running Dollar Drop circa 2012 in his Prijon. Photo: Paul Neville. Dollar Drop on the Upper Calapooia is located where the now abandoned station for the Sweet Home to Dollar branch of the Oregon Electric railway once stood on the road above.
So to those of us paddling into our so-called “golden years,” Rob Blickensderfer is a major inspiration.
Part of Rob's legacy is his extraordinary contribution to the whitewater community, which I see as twofold. First, Rob, along with Chuck Leach, founded our club, which in 2025 will mark its 50th year. Now, WKCC has grown to encompass much of the Willamette Valley’s paddling community and even beyond, and maintains a membership of around 400 individuals. Thanks largely to Rob, we developed an exceptional focus on paddling safety, including a scholarship fund which he initiated for members who take whitewater safety training. The club’s Safety Weekend, until recently staffed solely by WKCC volunteers, became an inspiration for other regional paddling clubs (big shoutout to Barbara Boylan and Mari Baldwin for organizing the event for many years.
Mari Baldwin with Rob at Cheadle Lake this year. Photo: Mari Baldwin
Rob with Barbara Boylan and others two years ago on the North Santiam. Photo: Dave Olson
WKCC helps new paddlers get out there, and members post trips for all who want to join.
Rob third from left with Al Grapel, Paul Neville and Kimberly Hahn on the McKenzie circa 2013. Photo: Gary Hahn
Our club also contributes to river conservation and we get our hands dirty doing river cleanup with Willamette Riverkeepers.
And, of course, our club is behind the creation of the go-to white water kayaking guide for Oregon, WKCC’s Soggy Sneakers, put together by Bill Ostrand, Richard Hand, Lance Stein, later edited by Laurie Pavey, and with contributions from WKCC club members, many of them pioneers of the runs which they authored, including Rob, of course.
Here is a link to Rob’s remembrances of how he and Chuck founded our club.
And there is more still to say. But to me, what is most significant in Rob’s LEGACY are the scores of novices, including yours truly, who Rob got out there on the water, sharing his love for our rivers and getting us past the white-knuckling fear stage of kayaking. We, in turn, share our love of the water with others, and the circle expands, ever wider.
Horst Lueck, Barbara Boylan, Rob up front with me in the background. This was in 2023 on Rob’s last whitewater paddle on the North Santiam. Photo: Dave Olson.
Those of us who owe our start on the river to Rob are too great to list here, but we all will forever be grateful to Rob for opening up the wonderful world of whitewater kayaking and canoeing to us!
Rob circa 2013 on the Nestucca near Alder Gleen campground with Gary Hahn. Photo: Susie Reid
And so, as both a NW kayaking pioneer, a mentor and an inspiration, Rob Blickensderfer will forever be a giant figure in Oregon whitewater.
Rob and Gary Hahn at the Rocky Bend takeout on the Nestucca circa 2013 Photo: Susie Reid
I invite you who know Rob and have been enriched by paddling with him to share stories via Paddler’s View. Simply send your memories of Rob to me and I will upload them to PV! Pictures are welcome!!!
AND SEND ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE VIA PADDLERS VIEW TO:
news@wkcc.org