Obituary
He was born on March 13, 1938, in Reed, KY. Bob graduated with honors from Hanson High School in 1956 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1961. He later completed two Master’s degrees, one from Western Kentucky University (1964) and another in the Teaching of Social Studies from Indiana University (1971), as well as advanced graduate work to achieve Rank I certification in education.
His teaching career began in 1961 at Dixon High School in Webster County and continued at Madisonville High School in 1962. When Madisonville-North Hopkins High School opened, he joined the Social Studies Department and taught U.S. History and other courses until his retirement in 1991. He also chaired the department for many years.
Bob played a foundational role in establishing the school’s soccer program in 1984, serving as the first faculty coach. His efforts earned him a place in the Madisonville-North Hopkins Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to the program’s early development.
From 1995 to 2008, Bob served as an Associate Professor of History and Political Science at Madisonville Community College. His Kentucky History course became a favorite among students due to his extensive use of primary sources, personal collections, and passion for the subject. Kentucky historian Dr. Thomas Clark once affectionately called him “the boy with the box” for the boxes of materials he brought to class each day.
After retirement, Bob dedicated himself to the Historical Society of Hopkins County, serving as president for three years and later as an emeritus board member. Under his leadership, the society saw increased membership, restored facilities, and expanded educational outreach. His efforts brought renewed community engagement to local history.
Bob’s contributions were recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Murray State University in 2014, honoring his decades of service to education and historical preservation.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Gusta Stanley; his grandparents, Tom and Louvinia Adkins; brother-in-law, David B. Barker; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and members of the Bowles family.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Judy Bowles Adkins; their three children, Tony (Denise) Adkins, Terri (Van) Adkins Carr, and Ted (Christy) Adkins. He was a proud grandfather to six granddaughters, Paige Adkins, Conner (Justin) Gentry, Kendall (Jordan) Carrington, Lauren (fiance’ Jayden Willis) Adkins, Layne Adkins, and Erin (Nathan) Carr Stahl, one grandson, Dr. Evan (Brittany) Carr; three great-grandchildren, Liam Gallardo, Kiera Calhoun, and August Gentry, and soon-to-be great-grandchildren expected by Kendall and Jordan Carrington [due in June] and Evan and Brittany Carr [due in October]. Bob is also survived by his sister, Corrie Q. Barker.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home with Pastor Kara Foster officiating. Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday and from 12 p.m. until the funeral hour on Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Historical Society of Hopkins County, 107 Union Street, Madisonville, KY, 42431, or the Madisonville-Hopkins County Public Library, 425 East Center Street, Madisonville, KY, 42431. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.harrisfuneralinc.com
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