Neill Arthur Gebhart, 91

Neill was born on April 3, 1925, to Jessie and John Gebhart in St. Paul, Minn., and passed away peacefully at Kootenai Health on Feb. 5, 2016.

He grew up in St. Paul and after graduating from Humbolt High School; he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army infantry division during World War ll. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered during the second wave that stormed Normandy Beach on D-Day. Following his service to our country, he returned home to St. Paul and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from the University of Minnesota. In 1948, he married his sweetheart, Gwen Jones, and they moved to Riverton, Wyo., where six of their seven children were born. In 1958, the family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where Neill worked for Potlatch Forests Inc. throughout his career. Following Gwen’s death in 1973, Neill married Patricia Knutson in 1981.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his step-children Sandy and Randy (Robin) Knutson; and three step grandchildren; his children, Lynne (Mike) Peters, Paul (Maryon) Gebhart, Laura (Steve) Baird, Joan (Jack) Lawson, Peter (Becky) Gebhart, Andrew (Adita) Gebhart and Carol (Jeff) Hruska; 16 grandchildren: Betsy, Sarah, Emily, Jake, Nick, Jill, Graham, Madeline, Matt, Andy, Stevie, Michael, Marianne, Katy, Dan and Joanna; 10 great-grandchildren; his sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Phil Rich of St. Paul; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Neill enjoyed time at his cabin with friends and family, political discourse, listening to opera, hiking, hunting and fishing. He was happiest in the outdoors and spent his last few weeks felling trees and cutting his own wood. He built his cabin in Driftwood Bay by hand, doing all of the electrical, plumbing and framing himself. He was known as the “answer man” and would help anyone who asked with advice about personal relationships, politics and religion. Through example, he taught by all of his children and grandchildren integrity, a strong work ethic, a sense of humor and a positive spirit.

Neill’s family extends their gratitude and love to Barbara Daugharty, his doctor and friend of these many years, and the thoughtful, competent staff at Kootenai Health who showed such kindness to us all.

He was cremated and his remains will be buried in St. Thomas Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene. A memorial and celebration of his life is scheduled for Memorial weekend in May of this year at his cabin in Driftwood Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Goodbye Grandpa Neill, you old rascal, we’ll see you on the mountaintop.

Please visit Neill’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.