Robert Larson

Robert Dean Larson, 75

Long time Kellogg resident and retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer Robert D. (Bob) Larson passed from this life on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Shoshone Medical Center following a years-long battle with COPD / Emphysema and recent related complications.

Bob was born in Denison, Texas on April 4, 1943, the 7th of a total 11 children, and the 4th born to his mother, Louise and her second husband James. He was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife of more than 52 years, Ruthie (Helms) Larson (2014), his brother James M. (1983) and sister Jeane Laverne (2017), two half-brothers Wilber M. and Gerald Douglas (2017 and 2018 respectively), and his half-sister Barbara (Douglas) Godsey (2017).

Bob grew up in less than opulent surroundings and in an environment where he and his siblings rotated in and out of a children’s home for the indigent until he was about 10 years old. He lived for a while in Wichita Falls, Texas during his late teens where he first got to know his beloved Ruthie as a schoolmate and later as a coworker at a Luby's Cafeteria. Having few decent job prospects and fewer viable career options, Bob quit school in the 10th Grade and joined the Navy in June 1961 where he earned his GED. Bob and Ruthie were married in Wichita Falls on July 30, 1961, and they remained happily married for over 52 years living coast to coast and border to border and raising three children along the way.

Bob served full tours of duty in Viet Nam between 1964 and 1968 engaging in anti-submarine warfare and determining the coordinates of enemy radar from his listening post near the wing beam of the venerable Lockheed P2V Neptune. In all, Bob spent more than 20 years in the "Airedale Navy”, which he thoroughly enjoyed and about which he often recalled with a sense of nostalgia and respect. Bob retired as a Chief Petty Officer while stationed at the very same Naval Air Station in San Diego where his career had begun.

After retiring from the Navy he went into a few businesses for himself; most notably auto body repair and classic car restoration, designing and building homes, property management, and home restoration, and building homes and site managing for Habitat (and later Fuller Homes) locally.

He leaves behind his two remaining brothers, George and his wife Jackie of Burleson, Texas and Walter and his wife Trish of Antioch, Illinois; his son, James and his wife Clare of Marshfield, Massachusetts; his daughter Terrie and her husband Steve Critchfield of Osburn; and his son John and his wife Stephanie, also of Osburn; granddaughters Julie Anne and Anne Marie Rose of Marshfield, Massachusetts; and Margaret and her husband Kendell Chapin with their two sons of Silverton. Bob also leaves behind his good friend and helper Donna House of Kellogg; many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews from all around the country.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 11:00A.M. at the Kellogg Funeral Chapel with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow services at the Greenwood Cemetery of Kellogg. Pastor Art Fleming will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Robert Larson’s memory to the American Lung Association. Special appreciation and thanks to Shoshone Funeral Services for their excellent assistance and caring during this time.

One may sign Robert’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com

SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO  is entrusted with cremation services.