Bob Finnegan

1930 – 2025

Pat and I first meet Bob and his wife Joan at the 2^nd Annual NW Koi and Goldfish’s Show Silverton Aquatic Nursery in Silverton, Oregon June of 1980. Pat and I had joined the club in March and got deeply involved. We were inside the nursery getting the goldfish and koi ready for judging. Ron and Nancy Patterson came through the door first followed by Joan and this tall distinguished looking guy named “Bob Finnegan.” Little did we know these four people would become lifelong friends that day and change our lives forever. Truly the meaning of “Friendship through Scales.”

Finnegan’s and Patterson’s had been involved in koi for many years in California. Finnegan’s were some of the early members of the Southern California Koi Club, the oldest koi club in the US (not to be construed with ZNA So Cal Koi Club). Bob and Joan were the founders of ZNA Orange County Koi Club. Finnegan’s also were one of 5 couples to buy KOI USA Magazine when Ed Fuijimoto decided to retire from the Postal System in California and move to Port Orchard, Washington.

Bob Finnegan along with Dr. Galen Hansen and Bob Spindola were the founders of the AKCA Koi Judging program which certified many of today’s Koi Judges. Bob was also deeply involved in establishing the ZNA America Judges Certification Program.

Bob and Joan, being one of the owners of Koi USA and on the AKCA Board of directors got to know every one of the affiliated koi clubs in America, club officers and memberships. It was their draw for more knowledge in the koi world (outside their home state of California) that they brought in the diversified world of koi keeping from Japan through ZNA.

The Finnegans had judged our shows a number of times over the years and got to know our membership well. It was Bob Finnegan who convinced our club to become a ZNA Chapter while he was ZNA US District Director. In August of 1991 we officially became known as ZNA NW Chapter. Bob was the John Apple Seed for ZNA in America and during his term as US District Director he was directly responsible for 8 or 9 Clubs becoming either full ZNA Chapters or Friendship Chapters.

When Bob’s ZNA Orange County Chapter ended about twenty plus years ago the Finnegans (rather than join a ZNA affiliated koi club in California) requested to change their ZNA Membership to ZNA NW Chapter. With their longtime support for our club they were welcomed with open arms and are still members today.

Bob worked for the Fountain Valley Water Department. Pat and I went to a number of Koi Shows either at Southern California Koi Show in Gardena or the ZNA Orange County Koi Show in Fountain Valley at the County Park. We wanted to learn about putting on Koi Shows, Promoting, Getting Donations and meeting the powers to be that would help our club out to be the best club in the Northwest. We helped set up their shows, benching, entry, banquets, sales, promotions, taking care of the judges, teardown, cleanup, and learned the meaning of comradery. The Finnegans worked the heck out of us, but we grew a deep and strong relationship out of that.

When we became Certified Koi Judges it was Bob that called on Pat and I when he needed judges for shows he could not get others to judge. We rarely turned him down even if was 5 or 6 shows a year across the US and Canada. We were also required to attend the AKCA Annual conventions for updated training classes.

Pat and I feel a deep sadness in his passing, I “Celebrate Bob’s Life.” He is someone that we have so much respect for. His Irish demeanor and sometimes uncensored conversations will be missed. The koi world would not be where it is today without his presence. Bob was a pioneer that shared his knowledge, organized the ranks, and pushed the barriers bringing the Koi world to heights we will never see again in our lifetime. We salute you, our friend. May those you have touched keep your memory going forward and spread your knowledge to others. As your students we hope to disseminate what you have taught us in a hobby that has brought us both so much enjoyment.

Larry Christensen