'One of a kind'

COEUR d’ALENE — “My first job was with Tom Robb.”

The number of people who can say that is in the hundreds, perhaps thousands, and Sandi Bloem is confident those very people went on to successful careers because of what they learned from Robb, longtime owner of The Iron Horse Bar and Grill in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Robb set a high standard for his crews. Whether they washed dishes, waited tables, served drinks or cooked breakfast, he expected them to work hard — and rewarded them for doing so.

“He taught them something about work ethic and being on the job every day,” said Bloem, who served 12 years as the Coeur d'Alene mayor. “He worked hard. He was there every single day.”

Robb, the face, soul and spirit of the Iron Horse that has been in business 50 years, died Jan. 24.

He was 82.

He had a reputation for being smart, determined and creative; unwaveringly loyal to family, customers and staff.

He was a fierce competitor, but also ready and willing to help others in the restaurant industry.

Dave Pulis, of the Moose Lounge next to the Iron Horse on Sherman Avenue, said Robb was like a second father.

“Tom kind of had a hard shell, but underneath that he was just kind of a big softy,” Pulis said. “His family was everything to him. They came first. Then business. He was a really savvy businessman.”

Pulis said Robb was “one of a kind” who had a big influence on the downtown area. He helped a lot of people without seeking recognition.

“If you were honest with Tom, he was honest with you and fair to you,” Pulis said.

He called Robb intelligent, well-spoken and a “go-to guy” for advice in the bar and restaurant world.

“He just had a way. He commanded a lot of respect,” Pulis said.

He recalled a story when downtown bar owners met with police about a particular bar that was creating problems for others.

The conversation got a bit heated and reached a point when Robb finally told police, “You need to start fishing where the fish are.”

“He just said it like it is,” Pulis said. “He didn't mince his words.”

Robb, in an interview with The Press in late May 2022, said he was proud that the Iron Horse, 407 E. Sherman Ave., had endured 50 years.

It opened June 2, 1972. Barbara Renner was a business partner until 1991.

It survived recessions, 22% interest rates in the '70s and a pandemic that made workers hard to come by.

“I don't know how many restaurants have done that, at least under the same ownership and the same management,” Robb said in 2022. “That's rewarding, in a way. But we've got our scars from all those years."

Son Aaron Robb has run the daily operations in Coeur d’Alene for about 25 years, while son Mike has operated the Spokane site.

Even after stepping aside, Tom Robb continued coming to the Coeur d'Alene restaurant daily.

Coeur d’Alene City Councilman Woody McEvers said he interviewed with Robb for a job as manager of his Sourdough Club in 1978. It was a restaurant at the end of east Sherman Avenue near Fernan, with a mining theme that featured a tunnel as an entryway.

Plans were to transform it into the first disco in Coeur d’Alene.

McEvers, who had only been in town about a year, recalled he had long hair and wore an earring for the interview, but Robb didn’t mention either.

“He was cool,” McEvers said.

Robb ended up hiring McEvers to manage the Iron Horse, which McEvers appreciated.

The Iron Horse was busy, often recording the top liquor sales in the state.

McEvers said Robb was protective of rights to the Iron Horse's 48-ounce Derailer, famous for its mix of rums, sodas, juices and straws for sharing with friends.

Others tried to copy it, but Robb was vigilant.

"He protected it," McEvers said.

He said Robb was a good boss; tough, but fair. He said when Robb called him into his office, he knew it might not be an entirely pleasant conversation.

Robb knew what he wanted, and liked to make things perfectly clear.

“He was old school,” McEvers said. “He was a straight shooter."

Looking back, McEvers said Robb had a big influence on him.

“He kept me grounded,” he said. "I always respected him."

At the Iron Horse on Tuesday evening, Bryce Blair was behind the bar, chatting with a customer.

The lights, as usual, were low, and it was quiet, save a few people drinking and talking at a table.

Blair said it's been difficult getting over Robb's death.

"It's weird just to think about it," he said. "He's really gone."

Blair was hired at the Iron Horse 17 years ago. He and Robb often met mornings over coffee to talk shop.

As he came to know him, hHwilling to do anything for anybody.

Blair said he considered him more friend than boss, also describing him as a second father.

The Iron Horse, Blair said, is an icon. So was Robb.

"I love that man," Blair said. "I love him dearly."