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Robert ‘Bob’ O’Hara, 91

Robert “Bob” James O’Hara, 91, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed on Sept. 14, 2017.

He was born on March 25, 1926 in Woodcliff, N.J. to Arthur P. and Olga O’Hara. Raised in Teaneck, N.J., along with his elder brother of two years, Arthur Jr., he was energetic, hardworking and athletic. Robert signed on to the New York Mets farm team before a leg injury prevented him from pursuing professional sports. Out of high school he enlisted in the United States Navy during wartime and then re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force/Air Corps. In 1950 he graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Geology and then left to go West to the land of wide open spaces and big skies. He accomplished his dreams of being a cowboy and a miner. He worked as a driller in very remote areas and mountain tops of Colorado, Wyoming, Alaska and British Columbia.

Robert met his wife, Elizabeth (Sally) Hinds Magoun, in Colorado — she, working as a flight attendant for United Airlines; and he, searching for hidden treasures beneath the earth’s surface. Little did he know he would find the greatest treasure above the surface. They were married for 49 years before her death in 2006. They started their family in Denver before moving on to Helena, Mont. where together they raised four children, R. Michael, Megan, Jillian and Connal.

He built his own home in the valley of Helena. Since retiring from Kaiser Permanente Cement (Ashgrove) in Helena, after working there for 26 years, he and Sally moved around a bit but settled in the Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene area of northern Idaho.

Robert is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Hinds Magoun O’Hara; his parents, Arthur Phillip O’Hara and Olga (Legehausen) O’Hara; and beloved brother, Arthur Phillip O’Hara, Jr.

He is survived by his four children, R. Michael O’Hara of Spokane, Wash., Megan O’Hara of Battleground, Wash., Jillian Condon (Dan) of Spokane, Wash. and Connal O’Hara (Rachel) of Spokane, Wash.; several grandchildren, M. Sage O’Hara, Farrahn O’Hara, Christopher Voth, Daniel Condon, Peter Condon, Sinead Condon, Liam Condon, Dalton O’Hara, Haley Travis, Bridger O’Hara and Frances O’Hara; and three great-grandchildren, Faolan O’Hara, Phoenix O’Hara and S. Finnegan O’Hara. He also had several nieces and nephew.

He was a proud man who loved his family. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 at Yates Funeral Home-Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Robert James O’Hara may be made to St. Jude Children’s and Research Hospital (P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN. 38148 or 1(800)873-6983), The Salvation Army or Special Olympics of Idaho ( Attn: Web Gifts, 1133 19th Street NW, 12th Floor. Washington, DC. 20036 or 1(800)380-3071).

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Please visit Bob’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com