Menu
Robert Wilson
Robert (Bob) Edward Wilson, 59, of the Plano-Egin Bench area near St. Anthony, Idaho, formerly of Bruneau, died suddenly at his home, Feb. 16, 2008.
A service including full military rites was held Sunday, Feb. 24 in the Bruneau, Idaho American Legion Hall.
Wilson was born on June 15, 1948, in Elko, NV, the eldest son of Ernest Edward Wilson, Sr. and Evelyn Juanita Gifford Wilson. During Bob's childhood he lived and attended school in numerous places including Bruneau, Brownlee (one-room schoolhouse), Ore.; Owyhee, Nev.; Mountain City, Idaho; Lakeview, Ore; and graduated from high school in Elko, Nev.
Robert was a member of the U.S Navy Seabees from 1967 to 1970 and was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserves in 1973 after receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Following his discharge, Bob attended the University of Nevada Reno where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Economics and later returned to earn a Master of Science in Agronomy and Plant Science.
Bob and Ida Marie Reichlin were married on June 7, 1975, in Squaw Valley, Calif.
They began their married life living in Troy, Mont., for nearly 20 years. The family moved to Idaho when he accepted a two-year research scientist position with Intermountain Canola in Idaho Falls. For the past 14 years the family has lived in the Plano-Egin Bench area of Idaho near St. Anthony.
Robert worked as an agronomist throughout his life and most recently worked as an Associate Professor for the University of Nevada. His duties for the university extension service centered in White Pine County, Nev., and his office was based in Ely, Nev. Bob's study of agriculture extended to many places around the US and the world, such as Switzerland, Central Europe, and Turkmenistan.
His career brought numerous accolades and awards commemorating his accomplishments. At the time of his death he was serving as president of the Nevada chapter of the Society of Range Managers.
"Bob felt that he had barely begun to contribute all that he had to offer to the field of agriculture and rangeland management," his family said. "He was a source of infinite strength and wisdom for his family, friends, and all with whom he came in contact. Bob will be sorely missed by us all."
Bob is survived by: his wife of 32 years, Ida, of St. Anthony; sons Brandon Wilson (fiancée Shanee) of Los Angeles, Calif. and Eric Wilson of St. Anthony; his mother, Evelyn Maybon of Mountain Home; his mother-in-law, Marie Reichlin of Floriston, Calif.; siblings Leroy Wilson of North Pole, Alaska; Lynn Larsen (Monte) of Mountain Home, Patricia Elliott of Kuna, Ed Wilson (Sandi) of Nampa, Judy Gossett (Wayne) of Mountain Home, Sue Newman (Randy) of Las Vegas, Nev., Frances Kief (Brandon) of Phoenix, Ariz.; brother-in-law Joseph Reichlin of Reno, Nev.; sister-in-Law Maryanne Reichlin of Floriston, Calif., and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.
Bob was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Ernest Edward and Patricia Wilson, and his father-in-law, Joseph Reichlin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Eric Wilson Special Needs Trust, care of The Bank of Commerce in Rexburg, ID.