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Robert Neil Irving, 93

Robert Neil Irving, age 93, passed away at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Feb. 7, 2018.

Robert was born in Spokane, Wash. on Feb. 14, 1924, to Neil and Gladys (Clarke) Irving. He was raised in Coeur d’Alene before his family moved to Rupert, Idaho, where he graduated high school. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving during World War II in Hawaii and the Philippines. After his military discharge in 1947, he started college and graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree, the University of Oregon with his master’s, and received his Ph.D. from University of Illinois.

Robert married Peggy Knudson on Aug. 28, 1949, in Coeur d’Alene.

Robert and Peggy moved to the Silver Valley and he began his teaching career in Wallace, Idaho. They moved to Sacramento, Calif., where he taught for several years for the San Juan Unified School District. In 1965, they moved to Ellensburg, Wash., and Robert became a college professor at Central Washington University, retiring in 1987. After his retirement they moved back to Coeur d’Alene.

Robert was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He loved to read and research statistics.

He is survived by three children, Richard and wife Susan Irving of Coeur d’Alene, Bill Irving of Coeur d’Alene, and Janet Powell of Ellensburg; grandchildren, John Irving of Nampa, Idaho, Mark Irving of Boise, Idaho, Tessa Demoy-Allers of Cheney, Wash., Dylan Powell of Ellensburg, Ryan Irving of Coeur d’Alene and Justin Irving of Seattle, Wash; brother, Jim and his wife Mary Irving of Post Falls, Idaho.

Robert is preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, in March of 2013.

Memorial service for Robert will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St, Coeur d’Alene.

Please visit Robert’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com