Keith Stieneke: Bob Denver an American Icon

As generations of tv viewers grew up with Bob Denver as Gilligan many including myself will miss him. His Gilligan character was the ultimate klutz and a world class goof but yet he was always the good guy; the person who despite all of his faults everyone still cared about.

I grew up watching television as a child in an Iowa farm community and one of the shows that I watched often was Gilligan's Island. This was during the 60's and I have fond memories of Ginger, Mary Ann, Gilligan, the Professor and the rest of the castaways. His castmates preceeding him in death include Alan Hale (the Skipper), Jim Bachus (the Millionairre), Natalie Schafer (the Millionairre's wife).

In real life he leaves behind his wife Dreama, and children Patrick, Megan, Emily and Colin. Denver was 70 years old and receiving treatment for cancer at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in North Carolina where he passed away September 6, 2005.

Bob, you will always live on in our memories and in the reruns of Gilligan's Island and other tv classics. Rest in peace.