Robert Russell Trenkle

Robert R. Trenkle, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, a family who loved him, and countless people whose lives are better because he was part of them.

Rob was born on August 7, 1953, in Boise, Idaho. Raised in humble circumstances, he developed a deep sense of empathy, resourcefulness, and a strong work ethic that would stay with him throughout his life. A naturally gifted athlete, Rob had numerous scholarship opportunities, but ultimately chose a different path.

At age 17, Rob married his high school sweetheart. In the years that followed, he welcomed two beautiful daughters, Chelsy in 1975 and Somer in 1978. He was a proud and loving father, and his daughters quickly became the light of his life.

To support his growing family, Rob took on just about any job he could. He worked as a firefighter for the Idaho BLM, processed fish at a trout farm, worked as a concrete hand and drove trucks for Challis Sand & Gravel Co., and worked as both a millwright and miner at the Clayton Silver Mine. No matter the job, Rob was never afraid of hard work, especially when it meant providing a better life for his family.

In 1979, Rob moved to Las Vegas to work with his father in the antique slot machine business. Then, in 1981, he found what would become his life's calling when he joined Laborers Local 872. His first assignment was as a tunnel miner at the Nevada Test Site.

A natural leader, Rob quickly earned a reputation as a hard worker and someone who stood up for his coworkers. His strong work ethic, passion for helping others, and leadership abilities did not go unnoticed. In 1989, he was approached to serve as a Business Agent for Local 872. During his time in that role, he earned numerous certifications and awards, but perhaps more importantly, he earned the trust and respect of his coworkers and union members.

On November 29, 1995, Rob married the love of his life, Kerry Deese, and welcomed two wonderful stepchildren, Danielle and Zach, into his life. Rob and Kerry shared nearly 31 incredible years of marriage filled with love, friendship, laughter, and adventure. Kerry always said, "Rob isn't just my husband, he's an adventure." Anyone who knew Rob would understand exactly what she meant.

In 1996, after much thought and consideration, Rob decided to run for Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of Local 872. He believed the position would give him an even greater opportunity to serve the union and the members he cared so deeply about. With the unwavering support of Kerry and overwhelming support from the membership, Rob was elected by a vast majority.

He held that position until 1999, when he was promoted to the Laborers' International Union in Washington, D.C. Over the years, Rob served in several leadership roles within LIUNA, including International Representative, Director of the Construction Department, and Special Assistant to the General President.

Each position brought new challenges and opportunities, and Rob found purpose in all of them. Although his work often took him away from home and the family he loved, he took great pride in traveling across the country to help struggling unions find their footing. He mentored leaders, rebuilt executive boards, and worked tirelessly to return unions to their members stronger than he found them.

Rob took tremendous pride in his career, but it was never just about a title or position. He understood hardship because he had lived it, and he used those experiences to open doors for others. He believed everyone deserved an opportunity to build a good life for themselves and their families.

By the time Rob retired from LIUNA in 2019, he had made countless friends and earned the respect of people across the country. He will be remembered not only for his accomplishments but for his generosity, his willingness to help, and the opportunities he created for others. He gave wonderful advice, told unforgettable stories, and never hesitated to lend a hand.

Perhaps the greatest testament to the life he lived can be found in the words of those he helped: "Rob changed my life," and "If it wasn't for Rob, I wouldn't be where I am today." Few things would have meant more to him than knowing he had made that kind of difference.

For all that Rob accomplished throughout his life, nothing meant more to him than his family. His career took him across the country, but his favorite place was always home. He treasured the quiet moments with Kerry, simply enjoying being together. For a man who had experienced so much and accomplished so many things, it was the simple things in life that brought him the greatest happiness.

Rob was a man of quiet strength. He didn't need grand gestures or a lot of words to show his love. His family knew how deeply he cared through his actions, his unwavering support, and the comfort of knowing he was always there. As a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was incomparable. He never missed an opportunity to tell us how proud he was or how much he loved us. He was our sanctuary—unconditional, strong, and a gentle place to land.

Outside of work, Rob enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved camping, fishing, golfing, traveling, cooking, and, of course, gambling and winning. He was unbelievably lucky, and he knew it!

He was also an accomplished arm wrestler, earning both state and world championship titles. Rob had a special love for animals, especially his two beloved dogs, T.C. and Tramp.

Rob was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Campbell; father, James Trenkle; brother, Jim Trenkle; beloved uncle and aunt, Tom and Linda Campbell; and uncle, Stan Strunk.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kerry Trenkle; daughters, Chelsy (Eric) Torres and Somer (Anthony) Cornell; stepdaughter, Danielle (Rolo) Deese; stepson, Zach (Hannah) Deese; grandchildren, Nathan (Ashley) Fleenor, Caleb (Dalila) Baker, Kenzie Cornell, Eric Torres Jr., Jacey Cornell, Victoria Deese, and Zoey Deese; great-grandson, Jackson Fleenor; sisters, Teri Beck and Kathy Sullivan; brother, Mitch (Mary) Smith; cousin, Linda (Mike) Foster; and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews.

To the world, Rob was a leader of men and a champion of rights. To his family, he was our hero. Our strength, our safe place, and the steady presence we could always count on. He spent his life making a difference for others, but the greatest gift he gave us was simply being Rob.

Services will be held on November 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary & Cemetery, 800 S. Boulder Hwy., Henderson, NV 89015.

A celebration of Rob's life will immediately follow at PT's Pub, 1331 S. Boulder Hwy., Suite 100, Henderson, NV 89015.