More than a decade after he vanished during a solo camping and fishing trip, the disappearance of Robert Perry Bissell continues to puzzle investigators and loved ones. The 57-year-old Portland, Oregon, resident was reported missing in July 2010 after failing to return from a planned excursion into the remote Rock Lakes Basin of the Roaring River Wilderness in Clackamas County.
Bissell, an experienced outdoorsman familiar with the area, told family members on July 12, 2010, that he planned to spend several days hiking, fishing, and camping alone in the Rock Lakes region. According to investigators, he stopped at a Fred Meyer store to purchase fuel for his camping stove before beginning the trip, leaving the store at approximately 8 p.m.
Authorities later determined that Bissell parked his 1989 Nissan Sentra near the Shell Rock Lake Trailhead. He also completed a wilderness permit indicating he intended to enter the backcountry on July 13 and return around July 16.
When he failed to return home as scheduled, concern quickly grew among his family. On July 19, his brother, Michael Bissell, traveled to the trailhead and found Robert’s vehicle still parked where it had been left. After hiking into the Rock Lakes Basin, he discovered his brother’s campsite near Middle Rock Lake.
Inside the tent were many of Bissell’s personal belongings, including his backpack, camping equipment, food supplies, maps, and other gear. However, his fishing equipment and several outdoor items were missing, raising further questions about what may have happened after he established camp.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office launched a large-scale search involving deputies, search and rescue teams, K-9 units, helicopters, and numerous volunteers. Searchers carefully examined the rugged wilderness surrounding Middle Rock Lake, nearby hiking trails, and surrounding terrain, but despite extensive efforts, no confirmed trace of Bissell was ever located.
During the investigation, authorities received reports from hikers who believed they had seen a man matching Bissell’s description around July 13. One reported seeing a fisherman near Middle Rock Lake, leading investigators to believe Bissell had successfully reached his intended destination before disappearing.
Despite years of investigation, no definitive evidence has explained what happened. Authorities have considered several possibilities, including an accidental fall, a medical emergency, or another unforeseen incident in the isolated wilderness. However, no official conclusion has been reached.
Today, Robert Perry Bissell’s disappearance remains one of Oregon’s enduring unsolved missing person cases. His family continues to hope that someone may come forward with new information that could finally reveal what happened during his final camping trip and provide long-awaited answers after years of uncertainty.
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Robert Perry Bissell is encouraged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office to assist investigators with the ongoing case.