Bob Ross, 101
The Passing of a Patriarch.
Bob Ross, a resident of Coeur d’Alene for more than 90 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 5, 2013. He had been lingering for a couple weeks, but had a tremendous rally in order to celebrate his 101 birthday, surrounded by family and close friends. He actually sang “Happy Birthday to you” in return to the group sing…and smiled in his impish way, and said , “…you can wear me down but you can’t wear me out”…a classic Bob Ross saying.
How to summarize 101 years of a man’s life? We told him he lasted more than a 100 years longer than the Titantic and he got that and for the family and friends that loved him, he was our Titan. Bob was born in Billings, Mont., July 28, 1912, to an immigrant Scottish father, Robert Ross and mother, Bernice. When he moved to Idaho at 9 years old, his father used the Spokane Children’s Home for child care for Bob and his only brother, Alexander (Uncle Joe), who preceded Bob in death. Those were positive and memorable years and he always gave credit to the sisters there who gave him a work ethic that would last him all his life.
When he listed his hobbies several years back, he put down: Fishing, gardening, canning (sauerkraut) and work. For those who saw him during his life working at the Cozy Corner (age 13), to his years at Cash and Carry Wholesale (35 years) and then in retirement join in running the Ross Motel where he welcomed thousands of folks to his home and his table, this amazing ethic was witnessed repeatedly. This is one of the many gifts he left his family. Folks that were fortunate enough to share time with Bob also learned how important living life with joyfulness mixed with an incredible sense of humor can make a formula needed to live a long life. Well…he had a few other lessons to share: “Drink your water, eat your vegetables and keep smiling.” (Age 90, 95 and 100.)
When Bob graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School, he stayed in Coeur d’Alene and within a couple years met Mavis Brugger from Post Falls. They married in the early ’30s and were partners in life, working hard together to raise family, and run the Ross Motel. They would be married for 72 years. Mavis preceded Bob in death in 2008. Bob then was fortunate to enjoy a cherished friendship with Nell Ogilvey for two years prior to Nell’s passing in 2011. Bob thought of the Brugger family as HIS…and indeed they were.
Mavis’s parents, Lee and Nell Brugger; brothers-in-law, Edward (Chap) Brugger and Dallas Ator; and sister-in-law, Margaret Koehler, preceded Bob in death as well.
Bob and Mavis had four daughters: Jean Janel, Jan Jaquel, Jeri Jarel and Jill Janice…and if the naming of those girls doesn’t reflect that couples humorous approach to life well…! Bob enjoyed a long line of adoring children down to five generations:
Jean and Bill Hjort, daughter Kristy (Bob Trask), grandchildren, Stephanie Decker (fiancee, Nick Gesauldi), Rob (Chantel Decker) and 5th generation wee one Perry; daughter Julie (Rodger Lowery), grandchildren, Jeff, Andrew and Richie; daughter Linda (Tony Ehrenberg), Maggie (Mike Hummel) and Jonathan; son Tim Hjort and Kelly Ann Eucher; and son Greg (Christina) Hjort and wee one Samuel.
Jan Cox, son Richard Fencl (Michelle), grandchildren, Ramsey and Lauren; son Randy Fencl (Diana), grandsons, Regan, Ryan and 5th generation wee one Rowan and grandson Riley; daughter Lori (Bill Smith), grandchildren, Willow and Melina; and daughter Lynn Ann (Brian Kenworthy), grandchildren, Jelena and Cameron.
Jeri “Sada” Ross, Earth mother to nine chooks, Henry and Huckleberry Finn, Jennifer, Red, Ginger, Renee, Ying and Yang; eight cats, Tiger Balm, Jasmine, Honeygirl, Panther, Ninja2, Scruffy and Caper; two German Shepherds, Tanya and Tyr.
Jill and Chuck Landback, son David Kauffman (Michelle), grandchildren, Michael and Ann; daughter Jordi (Jeff Owens), grandchildren, Grayson and Cutter; son Chris Landback (Jill), grandchildren, Mya and Boden; and son Sam Landback (Kirsten). Bob had spent the last seven years as a resident at Loyalton Assisted Living (now Emeritus) and we know he’ll be missed dearly there as well. One of the residents summed it up so well when he said, “Everyone Loved Bob.”
A service to Celebrate Bob’s Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church, Sixth and Lakeside, Coeur d’Alene. Following the service, folks are invited to drop by the home of Jan Cox, 1902 E. Coeur d’Alene Ave. to continue to tell stories of Gramps (Great Bob). Yates Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. You may visit Bob’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.