Robert J. Bishop, 1934-2022

Robert Joseph "Bob" Bishop died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, due to complications from heart disease, with family by his side at his longtime home in Orland, Calif. He was 88 years old.

A businessman with a mind for finance and marketing, he was the owner of Bishop Custom Products, a wholesaler of custom imprinted souvenirs such as patches, magnets, hats, and keychains to resorts and gift shops in Northern California and across the United States.

A father of three, his survivors include his wife, Peggy Bishop, a retired Orland school teacher.

Born on March 29, 1934, in Plainfield, N.J., he was the second of four children of Joseph and Estelle Bishop, a toolmaker and beautician, respectively.

After graduating high school, Bishop enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a radar technician and electronics instructor. He earned a bachelor's degree in business, and a master's degree in education. He worked in technical and management roles with RCA, Xerox, and Litton.

His first wife, Barbara (Corelli) Bishop, died in 1966, at 24, after an extended illness.

In 1969, he married Peggy (Porter) Bishop, who in 1972 adopted his children, Lea and Rob, then 10 and 7 years old, respectively. His third child, Todd, was born in 1973.

The family moved from Southern California to Orland in 1975, when Bishop was hired by the Glenn County Office of Education to lead the county's Regional Occupation Program.

He loved books, and spent many hours browsing and reading at bookstores and libraries. He listened to AM talk radio and Frank Sinatra albums; watched pro football, baseball, and "The Godfather" movies whenever they were on; and appreciated a good New York bagel.

He developed a successful line of Bigfoot souvenirs, while carefully dodging the question of whether he believed the legend. In 2008, he and Peggy wrote a children's book, "Bigfoot & Joshua," illustrated by Steve Ferchaud of Paradise, which sold more than 10,000 copies.

In the community of Orland, he was a member of a citizens' group, Save Our Water Resources, which successfully appealed the approval of a proposed Crystal Geyser water bottling plant.

In 2012 and 2013, he published a local news website, "Orland: The Straight Scoop," reporting about new businesses and using his knowledge of finance to analyze the city budget.

In a written summary of his life, which he updated periodically for reference upon his death, he thanked God and his doctors for giving him many "bonus years" after bypass surgery in 1999.

He was preceded in death in 2016 by his sister, Constance "Connie" Bishop. His survivors include his brothers Thomas Bishop of Howell, N.J., and Joseph Bishop of Anchorage.

He is also survived by his three children: Lea (Bishop) Hall of Chico, Rob Bishop of Woodland, and Todd Bishop of Seattle; and five grandchildren: Megan Hall of Littleton, Colo., Erin Hall of Chico, Preston Hall of Chico, Sterling Bishop of Woodland, and Maggie Bishop of Seattle.

His family plans to hold a small graveside service in Orland, trying to adhere to his request to "keep it short and sweet." In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Butte Home Health & Hospice, buttehomehealth.networkforgood.com.

Arrangements are held under the direction of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary.