Robert Tinder, 92

Robert K. (Bob) Tinder, 92, of Twin Lakes, died at home on Aug. 29, 2015. Bob was born in Hanford, Calif., on Sept. 14, 1922. He was the eldest of two sons born to Frederick Tinder and Lucille (Franchere) Tinder.

He grew up in Southern California and graduated from Excelsior High School in Los Angeles in 1941. Later, after World War II, he attended Community College. He joined the Navy in 1942 and went through basic training at Farragut, his first visit to Idaho Earlier in 1942, he had worked at San Bernardino Air Depot as a propeller mechanic, so during his time in the Navy, he was an instructor in propeller mechanics at NAS San Diego and at Memphis, Tenn.

He married Helen Radle in 1941, and after the war, they raised their three children in Woodland Hills, Calif. He worked for the L.A. County Fire Department for a time, but his dream was to get on the City of Los Angeles Fire Department. He was appointed to the department in 1948, and served until his retirement in 1971. He also had a landscaping business.

Bob had made numerous hunting trips to Idaho during his employment years, and after retirement, he left Southern California and headed up through Idaho. When he got to Lake Coeur d'Alene, he knew North Idaho was the place for him. He bought the Twin Lakes property and made a home there. He met Catherine (Cathy) in 1976 and they were married in 1977. Bob was instrumental in organizing the Rathdrum Rural Fire Protection District, and in 1976 was appointed to the first Board of Commissioners by Gov. Cecil Andrus. He served on the Board for many years.

Bob was an outdoorsman. He always had a fishing boat, beginning with the El Pescadore in the California years. He fished with the Sportsmans Club, making many trips to Mexico. His family also enjoyed water sports in his boat. During his active years he was a member of Elk Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited and the Spokane Yacht Club. Bob and Cathy enjoyed many years of boating, fishing and camping, always with their beloved dogs.

Bob is survived by his wife, Cathy, at their Twin Lakes home; his three children, Suzie (Dick) Bell of Incline Village, Nev., Judy (John) Moise of Auburn, Calif., and Rick (Cindi) Tinder of Prescott, Ariz. He is also survived by his stepchildren, James Parrish of Rathdrum, Lugina Parrish of Post Falls and Scott Parrish (Liz) of Perkasie, Pa. He was preceded in death by his only brother, Rich (Gloria) Tinder of Pullman. He is also survived by six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will be gathering at a later date to celebrate Bob's life. If you wish to give a memorial donation in Bob's name, we suggest it be sent to 3Cs, P.O. Box 1274, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816. Please visit Bob's online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.