Robert M. Pace, 84

Robert Maurice Pace, 84, civic leader and former owner of Pace-Kerby agency in Bonners Ferry, passed away Dec. 6.

Mr. Pace served his community throughout his life, including 22 years as a city councilman, through leadership positions in the Lions Club, Shriners, St Mary's Episcopal Church, the American Legion, the Chamber of Commerce, and as as one of the original board members of the non-profit that built Schweitzer Basin ski resort.

He was the individual most responsible for the construction of Mirror Lake Golf Course, a city owned course in Bonners Ferry.

An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Pace had enjoyed skiing since the 1930s, long backback trips in the Selkirk mountains as a young man, swimming and fishing at his Robinson Lake cabin, and golfing.

Bob Pace was born Nov. 26, 1921, in Polson, Mont., the youngest child of Maurice and Edna Pace. In 1925, the family moved to Bonners Ferry, where Maurice became superintendent of schools.

Bob was student body president in 1940, and earned 14 athletic letters in five sports, a record not broken for many years. That fall he entered the University of Idaho, playing football for the university, until he joined the Army Air Corps in March 1943. Lt. Pace trained as a P-47 fighter pilot, and was flying over Belgium on Dec. 17, 1944, attacking German tiger tanks during the Battle of the Bulge when he was shot down. Burned badly, he was eventually captured by Luffewaffe officers, and placed in their own barracks alongside German pilots.

Though a prisoner in hospitals, he was treated with dignity. 4 1/2 months and 30 pounds lighter, he was liberated and eventually reached a hospital for burn patients in California, where he met and married army nurse, Lt. Hazel Jacob of Anaconda, Mont., on Nov. 19, 1945. This Nov. 19 was their 60th anniversary.

The two returned to Bonners Ferry and Moscow, Idaho, where Bob completed his college degree in education. In 1947 he joined his father in operating an insurance and real estate firm. The firm became Pace-Kerby Agency in 1955 when Don Kerby purchased Maurice Pace's interest. Bob and Don operated the firm until selling their interests to Don's son, Darrell Kerby, in the late 1980s.

Mr. Pace was preceded in death by his brother, David G. Pace, and his sister, Mary Jane Pace. Survivors include his wife, Hazel of Bonners Ferry, his three children; Robert D. Pace, of Seatac, Wash., Willa K. McLaughlin, of Ketchum, Idaho, and James T. Pace, of Boise, Idaho; along with six grandchildren.

Family suggests memorials be sent to St. Mary's mission, c/o Betty Douglas, 6633 Buchanan St., Bonners Ferry Idaho, 83805 or to the Shriner's hospital in Spokane, Wash.