Robert “Bob” Haakenson, 86

On Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, Robert Melvin Haakenson of Hayden, Idaho, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and dearest friends while in the loving and compassionate care of the professionals at The Schneidmiller House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

His parents, Carl “Bob” and Elsie Haakenson welcomed their son who was born on May 16, 1935, in Fargo, N.D. Along with his younger brother Dick, the Haakenson family became North Idaho residents in 1942 when Bob Sr. was transferred from Williston, N.D., with his job at the Great Northern Railway in support of the war effort.

Bob graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1953 and attended North Idaho Junior College. While taking college classes at NIJC, he also discovered his love of being in the classroom and filled in as a substitute shop teacher for his Viking Alma Mater.

Bob transferred to the University of Idaho where he met his first wife, Patricia Pool. They both agreed that as soon as one of them landed a job as an educator, they would move back home to CDA. Luckily for the many students and the community, the Shop Teacher position opened up at CHS, thus beginning Bob’s 20+ year career as an educator. His classroom subjects over the years included, shop, drafting, mechanical arts and government. Bob was also one of the first teachers brave enough to teach a computer class – on the old TRS80 machines!

When Bob and Pat were teachers at the high school on Seventh Street in CDA, a mischievous ninth grader at the time decided to play Cupid. He thought it would be a good idea for his Shop teacher to date his Algebra teacher and promptly told them so on separate occasions. Little did this ninth grader know – they already WERE dating!

As recognition to the young matchmaker’s efforts, they asked Dexter Yates to play the piano when they were married on Aug. 19, 1961, at the First Presbyterian Church in CDA. Bob and Pat had three children and were married for 37 years until Patricia passed away in 1998.

Bob’s love for his North Idaho Community, theatre, and music filled the family’s home with activity and busy schedules throughout his entire life. He began playing the trumpet in sixth grade and played the Tin Man in CDA High School’s performance of The Wizard of Oz in the 1950s. Bob also served as a board member and theatre director, actor and set designer for many live stage productions at the CDA Community Theatre throughout the 1980s.

Later in life you would find a trumpet or flugel horn in Bob’s hands as a member of the CDA Symphony Orchestra, board member and musician for Panhandle Symphony Orchestra, North Idaho Wind Symphony and the one and only – CDA Big Band! We are CERTAIN everyone caught a glimpse of Bob/Dad as “Whistles” the clown marching down Sherman Avenue every Fourth of July with the Perfection-Nots.

Besides the joy of his own music, he took great pride as his children joined these various music groups to play along with him. At one time there were six Haakenson family members involved in one symphony together!

Bob was actively involved in several Masonic fraternal organizations throughout his lifetime, starting as a young man and later as an adult leader for DeMolay holding the highest office of Executive Officer for the State of Idaho. He served as an advisor for the International Order of Job’s Daughters, a member of the Order of Eastern Star, a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge in CDA, a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Calam Shrine Temple where he enjoyed his stint as an official Shrine Clown affectionately known as Whistles.

Throughout his life his interest in local and state governments coupled with Bob’s earnest desire to make a difference for his family and friends led him to a life of public service in various capacities. He served with the Idaho National Guard in the 1950s, he was elected an Idaho Legislator in the late 1960s and early 1970s and he served as a Kootenai County Commissioner in the late 1980s.

Bob participated on the State Board of Education as well as the Idaho State Parks and Recreation Board. Retirement from teaching didn’t slow him down from making a difference in the place he called home.

Even during some of the most recent conversations with Bob, it was clear his interest in the North Idaho political landscape inspired him to be involved – even if it was just a letter to the editor a time or two, a rousing dinner topic or passing on the importance of being involved to his grandchildren by simply casting a vote in a local election.

To love deeply once is considered a privilege – to find and love deeply a second time is beyond fortunate. After losing Pat, Bob could be found having coffee with his brother Dick at the Owl Café in Hayden. Over his brother’s shoulder he spotted a former classmate – Janet “Cookie” Best. It didn’t take long for Bob to get the courage to call Janet up and ask her to meet for coffee.

Since that chance meeting of a girl he’s known since seventh grade, another love story began. Bob and Janet were married on May 7, 2000, in the First Presbyterian Church in CDA. Their life together at their beloved “Sunbar Ranch” on the north side of Hayden Lake created a legacy and memories not only shared by their children and grandchildren, but also so many extended family and friends. There was always the much anticipated “Sunbar Sunday” where the family would gather with anywhere from 15 to 60+ people for food, friendship, stories and more.

In 2006 an annual Harvest Party established itself as a reliable October tradition where Bob would load up a trailer full of hay bales, grandkids and all their friends and hook it onto the back of his Kubota tractor for a trip to the pumpkin patch. Sunbar is a magical haven for everyone who stepped foot out there. Janet and Bob welcomed everyone and the stories and memories from this legacy will live on forever in so many lives.

During Bob’s final days, the steadfast presence of his brother Dick and closest lifelong friend Jim Burns allowed hours of stories to be told of his childhood up through adulthood that included a pink Cadillac with white leather interior and chocolate ice cream, a family owned store down by the old Showboat Theatre, the WHIZZER – a home built motor bike, behind the scenes stories of the pyrotechnics that were observed as the CDA Lake Fourth of July fireworks, water skiing to start the school day (didn’t even get his hair wet), and so many more.

The family cherished reliving those moments in Bob’s life through the stories they told – all a testament to the lasting impact Bob’s life had on everyone around him.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Janet “Cookie” of Hayden, son Eric Haakenson (Michelle) of Hayden, daughter Kristina Lallatin (Ken) of Hayden Lake, daughter Allisa Chipman (fiancée Chris Coscia) of Coeur d’Alene, stepson John Bartal (fiancée Jackie Gotchal) of Santa Maria, Calif. His grandchildren were the joy of his life and include Emily Warner (Brandon), Kyle Chipman (Kaylee), Alayne Zollinger (Alex), Karl Haakenson, Kirsten Haakenson, Jake Lallatin, Katie Lallatin and Kara Lallatin. It would be remiss if we didn’t mention the love he had for ALL of his dogs … Maxwell and Maestro of Hayden, and the late Igor, Samson, Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon, Sundae and many others from his boyhood.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The family wishes to acknowledge and sincerely thank the professionals of the Schneidmiller Hospice House for their compassion and care for Bob and the many family and friends that gathered during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage friends of Bob to give to Hospice of North Idaho as their service to the families with loved ones in their final stages of life is truly remarkable and one of a kind.