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Robert R. (Bob) Hall

1925 – 2020

Bob Hall died peacefully in his sleep at 5:39 a.m. on Jan. 2 at the Spokane Veterans Home. He was 94.

He was born April 13, 1925, to James and Hazel Hall in Moscow, Idaho, and joined four brothers: Jim, Gilbert, Rich and Gayle. Growing up around Moscow provided Bob with a love for agriculture and animal husbandry through farm jobs and Future Farmers of America (FFA).

When Gilbert and Rich went off to war, Bob was not far behind. He enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school and soon became a navigation instructor. His high school sweetheart, Helen Hosied, graduated one year later and they were married June 11, 1944.

Bob was discharged in 1946, the same year their first son, Gary, was born in Spokane, Wash., where Bob was stationed. After being discharged, they moved back to Moscow and he quickly found work in the auto parts business.

In 1948, second son Roger was born, followed by a daughter, Darlene, in 1951. In 1953, Bob was hired by Al Odenthal, owner of Coeur d’Alene Auto Parts, to help with the beginning years of NAPA.

Merle, the couple’s third son and fourth child, was born in 1955 in Coeur d’Alene. In 1961, Al asked Bob to move and manage a newly-acquired store in Davenport, Wash. In 1963, Bob bought Davenport NAPA from Al. In 1978, Bob sold the store and he and Helen moved back to Coeur d’Alene for semi-retirement.

Cd’A Auto Parts part-time sales job quickly became full time and Bob once again became a key man for the company until his final retirement in 1993.

Bob and Helen celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1994, but Helen’s heart failed in 1998 and Bob lost his sweetheart of 53 years. However, after a little over a year, second Helen (DeWolf) became Bob’s second wife on Valentine’s Day, 1999. They remained wonderfully devoted to each other until her passing in early 2014.

Bob turned 89 later that year, when he was invited to go dancing with an old friend, Louise Sievers and others. He accepted the invitation, and after many months of drawing closer together, Louise became the third Mrs. Bob Hall on Dec. 8, 2014.

After five amazing years together, she is now his widow. Bob was married 72 of his 94 years … not bad.

Bob’s life was over-filled with his love for Christ, the church, The Spokane Melody Singers, Moscow and Coeur d’Alene F.O.E. (Eagles Lodge), Idaho Youth Ranch and many other activities. He delivered Meals on Wheels in Coeur d’Alene for more than 25 years, showing the life of a true servant to his fellow man.

He taught his kids to BE HONEST and to be a man of your word, even when it hurts. As a follower of Christ, he was determined to live with high morals because, “bottom line, it’s all about Jesus,” he would say unapologetically.

Bob also supported many Christian and patriotic ministries and movements. He was a “GOOD” guy.

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen (Hosied), his second wife Helen (DeWolf) and his son, Gary. He is survived by his wife, Louise, Roger (son) and Carol, Darlene (daughter) and John Parker, Merle (son) and Jeanne as well as seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A memorial celebration will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 25, 2020, at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N. Fourth St. in Coeur d’Alene.

Please make gift memorials to: Idaho Youth Ranch, 5465 W. Irving St., Boise, ID 83706-1213.