Robin J. Stiles Chisholm, 71

Robin Chisholm entered heaven at sunrise Aug. 30, 2024, after a long battle with a rare autoimmune lung disorder.

She was born to Richard and Marjorie Stiles in Chicago, Ill., on June 17, 1953. She and her twin brother, Bob, were the oldest of five children. She spent her childhood in Yakima, Wash., where her father served the community as a family physician. She grew up helping care for her siblings and riding her horse through apple orchards. 

She graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1971, then studied at several different colleges before graduating from WSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976. It was in Pullman that she met her future husband-to-be, Don Chisholm, and they were married in Yakima later that year. Robin’s original aspiration to become a physician was put on hold, as she worked to help put her husband through medical school, first by employment at Food Chem, a clinical analytics lab, and later as a gastroenterology assistant.

They moved to Spokane in 1979, where Don completed his medical education. During their three years in Spokane, she welcomed their first two children. She was immediately and forever thereafter a zealous and passionate mother. 

The family moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1982, with only a single stoplight in town. Don began his medical practice there in 1982, and the family welcomed twin girls in 1984. With four children, Robin set aside the thought of pursuing her own medical training and passionately focused on the nurture and education of her own flock. 

She went on to pursue a Master's in Education at Whitworth College, emphasizing the education of gifted and talented students. She applied these skills at home and as a substitute teacher in the Cd'A district. The influx of testimonials since her death has confirmed the lasting impact she has left on numerous prior students and friends. She was incredibly proud that her four children all went on to become physicians and carry forth the family’s medical legacy.

Robin’s community activities included years of PTA service at Ramsey Elementary, club soccer coaching (never having played herself, she earned a coaching certificate and fielded competitive teams), PEO, CASA and Excel Board memberships.

Her hobbies included horseback riding, cooking, gardening, bicycling and swimming. Her intended travel plans were slowly eroded by her progressive lung disease, which eventually precluded travel by plane or visiting destinations at altitude. She never lost her passion for reading and communicating with family and friends. She loved words and was a brilliant writer, among her other talents.

Robin was preceded in death by her parents, Marjorie and Richard Stiles, and her brother, Chuck. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Don Chisholm of Hayden, Idaho; daughter Alison (husband Nick) Granier of Cd'A; son Tyler Chisholm (wife Megan Mendoza) of Normandy Park, Wash.; daughter Sarah (husband Brent) Bienenfeld of Bellevue, Wash.; daughter Hillary (husband Oliver) Stiefel of Portland; 8 grandsons: Sam, Ronan, Clark, David, Jack, Alden, Beauden and Max; siblings Robert Stiles, Jennifer Woodkey and Richard (Kim) Stiles; four sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family truly believes Robin was powered through the final months of her life by the arrival of her last grandson. During her long battle with chronic illness, her spirits and health were regularly buoyed by visits with her most cherished gifts — her four children (each of whom had two boys), and their sons and spouses. She says she has already forgiven them for never bringing her a granddaughter.

A memorial will be held at the Kroc Center in Cd'A on Sept. 14, 2024, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to Union Gospel Mission or Idaho Youth Ranch Equine Therapy of North Idaho.

The family thanks the staff at the Hospice House in Cd'A for their compassionate care during the final hours of her life, providing comfort and allowing personal family interaction in a peaceful setting. Robin passed away in loving care, surrounded by her husband and four children. Her loving spirit will live on in our hearts forever.