Oregon to Honor Bob Kilkenny with Field Dedication
05/05/25 | Baseball
“Legacy of Longtime Oregon Farmer and Oregon Baseball Supporter Lives on with Bob Kilkenny Field”
July 13, 1929 – May 24, 2016
On August 15, 2008, Bob Kilkenny climbed aboard a John Deere excavator, something he'd done countless times as a lifelong farmer in the tight-knit Eastern Oregon community of Heppner. But this time it was different. Instead of breaking ground on his wheat farm, Bob was breaking ground on PK Park, helping to usher in the long-awaited return of Oregon Baseball after a 27-year hiatus from Division I play.
Bob Kilkenny spent his entire life in Heppner, Oregon. The town shaped his values, his work ethic, and his identity. A proud Irishman and a man of deep faith, Bob carried his heritage and values into everything he did.
He first arrived at the University of Oregon in the fall of 1948, following in the footsteps of his older sister, Ilene. Though financial limitations cut his time in Eugene short, Bob's love for the U of O never wavered. He returned to the family farm, but his passion for the Ducks was passed on to the next generation. All five of his children — Russell, Patrick, Kelly, John, and Kevin — would go on to become proud Ducks!
"Dad always placed a tremendous emphasis on education," said his daughter Kelly Kilkenny Hale. "Dad used to say education is the one thing no one can take from you."
Though modest in means, Bob lived a life of quiet generosity. If a student in town needed a coat, gloves, or a backpack, he would drive to the nearest town, buy what was needed, and deliver it anonymously.
"In our college days, Dad didn't have two nickels to rub together," said his oldest son, Russ. "He couldn't afford to visit us at school (when Pat and Russ were attending the University of Oregon). But that never stopped him from supporting someone in need back home."
Bob was a lifelong sports lover. He believed in the power of the game-to build character, bring people together, and strengthen the community.
The groundbreaking he started at PK Park came full circle on February 27. 2009, when Oregon Baseball returned to the field for the first time since 1981. In front of a sold-out crowd, the Ducks beat defending national champion Fresno State with a walk-off single by Andrew Schmidt. Bob was there to see it.
In his final days, Bob stood proudly on the mound at PK Park and threw out the first pitch; a strike on his last visit to the field that had come to mean so much to him and his family. Less than 30 days later, on May 24, 2016, Bob passed away at the age of 86. That same day, he was honored with a title that captured his spirit perfectly: "The Mayor of PK Park."
Now, his legacy lives on in a new and lasting way. To celebrate Bob's contributions and the continued support of the entire Kilkenny family, the field at PK Park will be officially named Bob Kilkenny Field.
A new logo featuring five blades of wheat—symbolizing each of Bob's five Duck children—will be displayed on the outfield fence and behind home plate as part of the park's rebranding. The Oregon Baseball team will also wear the logo on their helmets for the May 9, 10, and 11 games against the University of Washington and each base at PK Park will feature the logo, too.
"Bob's presence will forever be felt at PK Park; in every pitch, every cheer and every homecoming," said Head Coach Mark Wasikowski. "We are thrilled to recognize the Kilkenny family. Our program would not be here without Bob, Russ, Pat, Kelly, John, and Kevin. They are great Ducks."
Oregon hosts the University of Washington for a three-game series starting Friday. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.goducks.com/tickets.
On August 15, 2008, Bob Kilkenny climbed aboard a John Deere excavator, something he'd done countless times as a lifelong farmer in the tight-knit Eastern Oregon community of Heppner. But this time it was different. Instead of breaking ground on his wheat farm, Bob was breaking ground on PK Park, helping to usher in the long-awaited return of Oregon Baseball after a 27-year hiatus from Division I play.
Bob Kilkenny spent his entire life in Heppner, Oregon. The town shaped his values, his work ethic, and his identity. A proud Irishman and a man of deep faith, Bob carried his heritage and values into everything he did.
He first arrived at the University of Oregon in the fall of 1948, following in the footsteps of his older sister, Ilene. Though financial limitations cut his time in Eugene short, Bob's love for the U of O never wavered. He returned to the family farm, but his passion for the Ducks was passed on to the next generation. All five of his children — Russell, Patrick, Kelly, John, and Kevin — would go on to become proud Ducks!
"Dad always placed a tremendous emphasis on education," said his daughter Kelly Kilkenny Hale. "Dad used to say education is the one thing no one can take from you."
Though modest in means, Bob lived a life of quiet generosity. If a student in town needed a coat, gloves, or a backpack, he would drive to the nearest town, buy what was needed, and deliver it anonymously.
"In our college days, Dad didn't have two nickels to rub together," said his oldest son, Russ. "He couldn't afford to visit us at school (when Pat and Russ were attending the University of Oregon). But that never stopped him from supporting someone in need back home."
Bob was a lifelong sports lover. He believed in the power of the game-to build character, bring people together, and strengthen the community.
The groundbreaking he started at PK Park came full circle on February 27. 2009, when Oregon Baseball returned to the field for the first time since 1981. In front of a sold-out crowd, the Ducks beat defending national champion Fresno State with a walk-off single by Andrew Schmidt. Bob was there to see it.
In his final days, Bob stood proudly on the mound at PK Park and threw out the first pitch; a strike on his last visit to the field that had come to mean so much to him and his family. Less than 30 days later, on May 24, 2016, Bob passed away at the age of 86. That same day, he was honored with a title that captured his spirit perfectly: "The Mayor of PK Park."
Now, his legacy lives on in a new and lasting way. To celebrate Bob's contributions and the continued support of the entire Kilkenny family, the field at PK Park will be officially named Bob Kilkenny Field.
A new logo featuring five blades of wheat—symbolizing each of Bob's five Duck children—will be displayed on the outfield fence and behind home plate as part of the park's rebranding. The Oregon Baseball team will also wear the logo on their helmets for the May 9, 10, and 11 games against the University of Washington and each base at PK Park will feature the logo, too.
"Bob's presence will forever be felt at PK Park; in every pitch, every cheer and every homecoming," said Head Coach Mark Wasikowski. "We are thrilled to recognize the Kilkenny family. Our program would not be here without Bob, Russ, Pat, Kelly, John, and Kevin. They are great Ducks."
Oregon hosts the University of Washington for a three-game series starting Friday. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.goducks.com/tickets.
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