Robert J. McNabb, 64

Robert J. McNabb was born March 6, 1957, to Robert and Carol McNabb in Spokane, Wash. He passed away April 20, 2021.

More than anything, Bob loved his wife, Cathy; his kids, Chris, Courtney (Dave Barber), Kelly, Ryan (Alexa Chaffin), Jaicie Purvis; his granddaughter, Cosette, who was the apple of his eye; and the greatest sport ever … ice hockey!

Bob and his brother, Tom, began working on a paper route in Spokane when Bob was 13. His hard work and determination earned him a trip to Disneyland and ultimately enough money to buy hockey equipment for selling the most papers door to door. Bob and his brothers got the hockey bug from their dad, Bob Sr., at a very early age. Additionally, in the fourth grade, Bob attended class with the son of the Spokane Jets Captain. These early influences are what gave him a passion for hockey.

Bob’s father had connections through his insurance agency and was able to get Bob and Tom into Western International Hockey League games to watch the Spokane Jets. At 17, Bob and his younger brother, Tom, played hockey for a bar league. They were passionate about hockey but too young for the league, so their mom agreed to sign a waiver so they could play. Hockey was something he passed on to his own children, who also play hockey and share the same passion he did. He had the most fun playing on the Bighorn hockey team that he helped start with all three of his boys and his brother-in-law, Rob.

While in high school, Bob worked at a creamery in the Parkade Plaza in downtown Spokane. He graduated from Ferris High School in 1975.

His passion and work ethic showed in everything he did. Recently, Cathy convinced Bob to create wood crafts. He would do all the precision cuts while Cathy and her sisters would put them together. His beautiful wood creations are cherished and reminders of happy times together with people he loved. He always finished what he started.

Bob loved to share his experiences and tell stories. If you encouraged it, he could go on, and on and on. If you missed something in his stories, you could wait until the next time around to hear it again.

Bob moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1983. Bob enjoyed playing golf and spending time on the lake, boating with his kids. He cared deeply for the people he loved. He faithfully served his church family, friends and his community as the president of the Lions Club for many years.

For the last 15 years, Bob worked as the service manager at Dishman Dodge, where he developed lasting friendships. He really enjoyed working for a family-oriented company who cared for him. Bob was devoted to Cathy and was always happy to go along with any adventure she planned, whether it was driving to a nature reserve, bird watching, hiking, biking, kayaking, camping or just long walks.

Bob was always the first in line to hold a baby. He had a special place in his heart for his little great-nieces and nephews. Bob’s family meant the world to him. Bob is survived by six siblings: Cheri Hodl, Tom (Cherie McNabb), Terry McNabb, Dan McNabb (Christine), Heidi Ely (Lee) and Michelle McNabb, and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

Bob’s family is comforted knowing he is now celebrating eternal life with Jesus and his brother-in-law, Joe.

A celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Prairie Avenue Community Church, 3639 W. Prairie Ave., in Hayden.

Please visit Bob’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com