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Robert L. Bemis, 88

| July 11, 2014 1:08 PM

Robert L. Bemis, 88, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died July 3, 2014.  

Mr. Bemis was born April 6, 1926, in St. Maries, Idaho, to Albert Bemis and Louise Lindstrom Bemis. He grew up and graduated from high school in St. Maries. 

Mr. Bemis attended the University of Idaho and was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. His college was interrupted by WWII where he served with the U.S. Navy. After the war, Mr. Bemis returned to St. Maries and worked in the local lumber mill. He married Beverly Way in 1952, and continued to work in St. Maries until 1954 when he, his wife and son, Brice, moved to Superior, Mont.

Mr. Bemis was employed by Diamond Match in Superior, working in the planer, then becoming foreman for the planer before moving up to manage the whole mill. While living in Superior, he was an avid member of the Lion’s Club and Montana Free Masons. He was also a member of the local Trinity Lutheran Church.

In 1968, Mr. Bemis and his family (Beverly, Brice and Brian) moved to Coeur d’Alene where he was in charge of the local Diamond National Lumber Mill. While in Coeur d’Alene, Mr. Bemis was a member and past president of the Coeur d’Alene Rotary club where he was one of the largest fund raisers during their annual rose sale. He was also a member and past president of the North Idaho Booster Club, a board member of North Idaho Timber/Lumber Museum, board member of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, member of the Priest Lake Historical Society, and board member of the Timber Products Manufactures Association.

Mr. Bemis contributed to Coeur d’Alene Homes and Heritage Place, Valley Vista Cottage Care in St. Maries, Coeur d’Alene United Way, the University of Idaho College of Forestry, the First Annual Coeur d’Alene Marathon and Hangover Handicap Fun Run in 1978, and supported the Mineral County Hospital in Superior, Mont., in the 1970’s and 1980’s. 

As general manager of Diamond International, Mr. Bemis supported the employees, their families and communities by donating time and resources to various youth activities and organizations in the communities of Newport, Wash., Superior, Mont., Priest River, Idaho, St. Maries, Idaho, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He also established the first recognition luncheon for the Diamond International retirees and their families in the states of Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly; and daughter-in-law, Jeanne Boughton Bemis. He is survived by his two sons: Brice and Brian, and their wives and children: Brock, Lexie, Kahrs, Anders and Bo Bemis; Brandon and Rachel Bemis; Brynn and Brooke Bemis; and Brad, Brett and Brittany Bemis.

There will be a memorial at 11 a.m., Monday, July 21, at Peace Lutheran Church, 8134 N. Meyer Road, Post Falls, with Yates Funeral Home in care of the arrangements. Please visit Bob’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at  www.yatesfuneralhomes.com

Donations in Bob's memory may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 8134 N. Meyer Rd., Post Falls, Idaho, 83854, or the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 444, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 83816.

The Bemis Family would like to thank Hospice of North Idaho, Dr. Robert McFarland and staff, Dr. Neil Nemec, and the personnel at A Better Personal Care, Inc.