Follow the leader

RATHDRUM — Bob Jones was puzzled when he was selected as grand marshal for Saturday's Rathdrum Days Parade.

“Why they chose me, I have no clue,” he said Wednesday.

Ashley Cameron, Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce executive director, knows why.

She said Jones, who retired in 2001 after 20 years as Lakeland School District superintendent, was nominated by several organizations.

“I think that just shows what kind of man he is,” Cameron said.

Jones will lead the parade on Main Street that begins at 10 a.m. It's part of a day of activities with a car show, McDonald's Big Wheel race, watermelon eating contest, Doggy Dash, vendors, food and a pickleball tournament.

Jones, elected to the Lakeland School board in November and a chamber board member, said he was humbled by the honor.

“I don't go out and seek notoriety. I'm not interested in that,” he said.

Still, he was pleased to be named grand marshal, a first.

“I was bowled over,” he said.

He’s called Rathdrum home for 51 years and has been a leader in not only education, but in many areas, almost all voluntary.

He has served on planning commissions, development councils, advisory groups, chaired the Lakeland Education Foundation and was a volunteer fireman.

He was the town’s mayor from 1973 to 1976, was the chamber’s Citizen of the Year in 2010.

He has enjoyed watching the town grow, from a population of 770 when he arrived in 1971 to about 10,000 today. He loves that Rathdrum has kept its small-town vibe.

“Being able to go downtown and see people you know and go to the post office and see everybody you know, everyone is pleasant, I just really like that," he said.

Jones was born in Boise. He graduated from Meridian High in 1961 and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Idaho.

He served as principal at Lakeland Junior High for 10 years before becoming district superintendent.

While his footprint in Rathdrum is wide, he says "without a doubt," his biggest influence was in education.

“The school district matured a lot. We went through a lot of growth during my tenure,” Jones said.

Under his guidance, student enrollment doubled; school expansion included the new Garwood and Betty Kiefer Elementary school and the new Timberlake Junior/Senior High School; a central kitchen for a new districtwide hot lunch program; and many new programs and curriculum development.

He led the district through successful bond elections and building programs in 1984, 1991, 1994, 1998 and 2000.

He is most proud of being part of the team that created the Riverbend Vocational Technical Academy that eventually became KTEC.

“When I was superintendent, the Lakeland school district became the kind of go-to school district in North Idaho at that time. Realtors frequently advertised it in their ads, being in the area and that kind of thing. So yeah, that's without a doubt. That's where my greatest influence has been.”

At 79, Jones remains active and healthy. He has a youthful spirit, a can-do attitude and believes he has much left to do. It's one reason he decided to run for the school board.

“I feel I can contribute something valuable to the school district and the community," Jones said.

Over the past 20 years he’s been involved with land development along with residential home construction and remodeling. He and his wife of 57 years, Sandy, own and manage several rental properties.

Sandy, by the way, will join Bob when he rides through the parade, waving and smiling. If they look happy, it's because they are.

The key to a great marriage, Jones said, is compromise.

“Learn when to speak and when not to speak," he said, smiling.

While Jones could be relaxing and taking vacations, he remains committed to doing all he can to make Rathdrum a great place.

He said the community has been good to him, and he wants to return the favor.

“Everybody should be able to give something back,” he said. “Don't always take. Try to find ways to give back through service or through volunteer work. You know, those kinds of things that can make a difference.”