Bob was born in a log cabin, across the street and just west of the Weston Idaho Post Office on September 24, 1935, the third of three children born to Edna Peterson and Orley White. Orley farmed the family homestead in Weston canyon with his family, including Bob's older siblings Ray and Barbara. Ray was not just Dad’s older brother, he was his protector, best friend and even father figure after their father died of pneumonia when Bob was a toddler. We're sure Bob and Ray had a joyful reunion.

After the death of Bob’s father, his mother Edna moved to Magna, Utah to be close to her extended family. His aunt and uncles helped the small family as they recovered from the shock of Orley’s death and while Edna finished beautician school. Ray and Bob slept on a mattress on a dirt floor in a corner of the basement apartment they rented until they moved back to Weston three years later. 

Edna and Orley’s neighbor, Richard Lemmon, lost his wife during childbirth and Edna married Richard when Bob was nearly five, bringing seven new brothers and sisters into his life and eventually baby David, for a total of eleven children. It was a busy childhood, filled with hard work on the farm, adventures in the mountains, his mom’s wondrous cooking and plenty of troublemaking with his many siblings.Dad started school in a small building in Weston canyon near his current home where grades 1-6 all attended in the same room. He attended junior high and high school at West Side High and graduated in 1953. 

He married Elaine White in November 1954 in Moses Lake, Washington where he worked in a sugar factory with his brothers. Bob and Elaine lost their first daughter shortly after birth in November 1955, and within a year moved to Manti Utah where he trained as a mechanic with our beloved Uncle Rex. Bob worked as a mechanic throughout his life and became a skilled welder, supplementing the farm work by working the Monsanto shutdowns each summer and working as a mechanic for neighbor Kenton Frederickson and many other friends and neighbors. Bob and Elaine returned to Idaho a few years later to help his retiring parents by taking over the family farm in 1966. He and Elaine raised sons Scott and Dave, daughters Stephanie and Jamie, and foster daughter Harriett on the farm until Bob built a beautiful new home over several years on the hill below Mt. Bally in the early 80’s. 

Always careful with money, he paid as construction went on for several years and it was mostly paid for when they moved in. Scott bought the farm in the late 70’s and Bob and Elaine split up in the early 90’s, which brought many changes to Bob’s life. He divided his time between Texas where his friend Vicki lived and the farmhouse in Weston until he moved into Heritage Homes a few years ago. He loved his friends and caregivers at Heritage and the Symbii healthcare staff. Many, many thanks to all who helped him with piles of puzzles, brought him his favorite treats and made his last days so peaceful and fun.

Bob had a beautiful baritone voice, a dry sense of humor and was a great campfire cook. He could always spot the deer no one else could see and loved to hunt and fish before his hips and hands gave out. He was the person everyone trusted to fix anything or tackle any project - his sore back, hips, knees and hands in later years bore witness to the hard work he never avoided. He loved his family, his Savior, sports of all kinds, Snackpack butterscotch pudding and Matt Dillon, and was always proud to call Weston his home. He leaves behind his children and many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

At Bob's request, no formal funeral services will be conducted. The family will hold a private graveside service at a later date at the Weston Cemetery. To share a favorite memory of Bob or to offer condolences to the family, please leave a tribute on this page.