Robert Lewis Kress, 94

Robert passed away on Dec. 19, 2021, after a brief but stubborn battle with Father Time. He was born on Aug. 16, 1927, in Pittsburgh, Penn. He was very proud of his formative years and the education he received at Culver Military Academy in Indiana and then at Princeton University.

During his prep school years at Culver he was a Lieutenant in Troop 2, a member of the elite equestrian club, Lancers and a heavyweight on the boxing team. After graduating in 1945 he went on to Princeton as an ROTC Cadet Major. While attending the university he married his first wife, Nancy Clarkson. At Princeton he was a member of the Tower Club. He continued his pursuit of boxing and during his senior year he became the intramural heavyweight champion. With his 6’4” frame, he was a formidable opponent. In later years he would joke that if he had stout thighs rather than long, slim legs, “I coulda been a contendah.” He spent a lifetime pursuing athletic endeavors, including skiing, biking, roller blading and playing squash and tennis. He was a perpetual gym rat in constant pursuit of physical conditioning.

After college he took his people skills and marketing acumen to the business world, where he held a number of leadership roles while he raised a family on the “Mainline” in Philadelphia. He served as Marketing Manager for Campbell Soup Company. For several years he was President of Godiva Chocolate. There he was instrumental in bringing the company and its products to the United States. He moved to Sun Valley, Idaho, during the mid-'70s and was involved in developing the “Bigwood” property. Later he returned to the Mainline and took a position with Drake Beam Morin, where he counseled and coached senior executives.

Throughout his life he was active in service to his community; as a commissioned officer in the New Jersey National Guard, as a Deacon at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and as President and Treasurer of Princeton Class of '49. He was also a volunteer with the Sun Valley Fire Department where he was in his element as driver of the fire truck.

Robert is survived by his five children; Christy Cheney, Oakland, Calif.; Maidy Kress (John Luster), Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Nancy Bowden (Mark), Toronto, Canada; Edward Kress (Emma), Berkely Calif.; and Mathew Kress (Allison), Bainbridge Island, Wash. He was preceded in death by his son, Robbie.

He is survived by five grandchildren as well: Megan McKernan, Aiden, Estelle, Hannah and Hudson Kress. Also two great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Avery Zent, and finally by his former spouse, Sandy Kress.

He was fortunate to have an abundance of friends during his life, including those he made during his last few years at Garden Plaza in Post Falls. He always maintained a positive attitude and preferred to look to the future rather than to dwell in the past. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. A life well-lived, like all good things, must come to an end. Darn Phooey!