Robert 'Bob' Eugene Boughton, 85

Beloved husband, dad, grandpa and friend.

On Nov. 19, 1937, Robert Eugene Boughton was welcomed to the world by his parents, Robert J. Boughton and Lillian M. (Holzer) Boughton in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He was the first grandchild of both families and was later joined by three sisters — Barbara, Beverly and Jeanne — who loved him dearly. After living with Alzheimer's dementia for several years he quietly and peacefully went home to heaven June 19, 2023, surrounded by the love of his wife and family.

Bob described his parents as being "green" long before the term was invented. His dad owned a service station three blocks from his house and walked to work every day. His mom packed a lunch, put it in the stroller with Bob, and walked to have lunch with his dad every day.

Bob received his early musical education on piano, but in sixth grade traded piano lessons for the clarinet and in eighth grade he was invited to join the high school band. He later played in the orchestra and in a dance band. In his early teaching years, he played with his dad in the BPOE band. Bob never claimed to be an athlete, but music was the one thing he was better at than his dad.

Bob graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1955. He remembered he was always the shortest boy in class. There were three girls shorter than him — he grew taller but they did not.

In 1958, Bob married Patricia Kramer and had three sons. Pat was the choir director at Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church (the church they both attended) and needed more men in the choir. Thus, his singing years began in earnest. He went on to sing many solos in cantatas as well as during Sunday worship. Bob and Pat were Senior High Youth Advisors at Smith Memorial for several years. Pat passed away in 1975 after 17 years of marriage.

He loved designing and building things from stained glass to furniture, boats and houses. His early college training was in engineering/architecture until his instructor told him he was good at home design but would never be able to make a living from that, and that the money was in commercial design (which he hated). This caused him to institute plan B. Bob went on to take a year of education classes to become a teacher. He taught eighth grade health, science and music at the school he attended as a child.

Bob served in the Idaho National Guard for six years where he was a cook, something he always enjoyed throughout his life. He was the go-to person for church spaghetti feeds and Christmas chili dinners, as well as being the primary cook at home.

In sixth grade, Bob's first job was a paper route. He was continually employed until retiring from Abbott Laboratories after 32 years in 1994. That's when his real work began helping with grandchildren and being the one his kids would call if they had a question about something in their home that was giving them a problem.

In June 1986, Bob married Chris and increased his family to four boys and, finally, a daughter. Bob and Chris did everything together including RVing, square and round dancing and church activities including Outriggers. They remodeled two of their homes together (which probably tested his patience). Bob was the most patient man ever. He was always willing to explain why he was doing what. Bob and Chris completed a winter home in Yuma, Ariz., before his illness progressed. He had three dogs during his life with Chris, two of which he loved and one not so much.

Bob always believed if you belonged to an organization you should volunteer. He served on the Interlachen Homeowners Board, was elected to the Board of Interlachen Water PUD, was a Toastmaster, served on the Summerplace Board of Directors as President, was an elder and deacon of the Presbyterian Church serving several terms on the Session of Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fairview, Ore. Bob and Chris served on the board of directors for Presbyterian Marriage Encounter for several years. Bob performed as Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music production at Smith Memorial. He continued his acting career after moving to Summerplace where he appeared in several productions of the Summerplace Players group. Bob really enjoyed hamming it up.

Bob is survived by Chris, his wife of 37 years; son Scott (Linda) Boughton of Las Vegas, Nev.; son Jeff (Terri) Boughton of Fairview; son Gregg (Becky) Boughton of Portland, Ore.; son Jason (Melissa) Tanner of Portland; and daughter Wendy (Viktor) Tanner-Morse of Portland.

Also surviving Bob are his 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his sisters, Barbara (Dale) Dennis of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Beverly (Mike) Perry of White Salmon, Wash.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, his parents and his sister, Jeanne Bemis. He was a kind, gentle and patient man who will be missed by many. Rest in peace, dear one.

Sincere thanks to the caring staff of AccentCare Hospice who ministered to him (and the family) for the last eight months of his life. Their love and compassion will be remembered.

There will be a celebration of Bob's life at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fairview, Ore.