Medford, Ore. — Only on Five. As part of NBC5’s Hidden Talents series, we introduce you to a local intensive care nurse who’s dedicated his life to helping others.
Bob Gentry is an ICU nurse at Providence Medford Medical Center – using his hands to help heal patients day in and day out. Little do some of his patients know, those hands belong to an 11-time world champion in archery.
Gentry’s shot archery for the past 50 years, earning over 30 national championship titles. Earlier in his archery career, Gentry would compete in up to 40 tournaments each year. And he said to get a perfect shot, sometimes you just need to believe.
“I shoot so many shots that are wood, hay, and stubble – bad. Only a few times in my life have i shot in true faith,” he said.
Gentry said that’s why archery and fostering youth go hand in hand.
“That’s the way that my foster kids were. I knew that they were all going to hit the spot. I knew that they were gonna be good men,” he said.
Gentry and his wife, Sandy, have been proud foster parents to ten children over the years. In addition, to their two sons.
“We just don’t know how much the people are affected by the love that we give them,” he said.
While some may say fostering youth can be time consuming, or even potentially a financial burden – Gentry has other thoughts.
“You have to wear your heart on your sleeve and you have to let people close enough to hurt you. Otherwise you’re not close enough to help them,” he said.
With the lord guiding him, Gentry will always look to help others.
“To lay down your life for another is for me – I can’t think of a more honorable way or a more respectful way to deal with life,” he said.
Gentry is the reigning world champion archer, and continues to shoot three to four tournaments each year.
After 50 years of competing in the sport, NBC5 asked him if he had any thoughts to retire from archery, and he said – absolutely not.
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