Robert Mark Kellogg, 87

Robert Mark Kellogg, 87, known around Sandpoint as “Keg,” passed away on Monday, May 10, 2010, in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was a long-time resident of the Sandpoint area and had an influence in many lives and events.

At his request no services will be held.

Bob was born in Cedar Rapids, Neb., on July 21, 1922, to Mark and Lucy Jarvis Kellogg. At the age of 11, he was hit by a car while roller skating, and nearly died. His leg was badly injured and although the doctors did the best they could for their era, his knee would never again bend and he walked with a distinctive gait for the remainder of his life.

He attended the University of Nebraska, but while on summer break he met the love of his life, Dorothy Jean Gustason. He and “Dordie” were married in 1943 and he spent 59 years with his “blue-eyed bride,” as he always called her. They moved to California, where Bob worked as an office manager at the Calavo avocado company. Three children were born to them, but they decided Los Angeles wasn’t a good place to raise a family. Bob opened a map out on the kitchen table, picked what he felt was a likely place, and off they went to Idaho.

The Kellogg family moved to Laclede in March 1958, pulling a homemade trailer behind the car full of children and a dog. Bob worked in Spokane, Wash., for a time at KHQ radio as an advertising salesman. He also sold life insurance around Washington state, and commuted home to Laclede on the weekends. For about a year they moved to Spokane, but returned to Sandpoint in the mid-1960s.

Then Bob, or Keg, as he was better known, opened Keg’s Mexican Chow House on the northwest corner of Boyer and Larch in Sandpoint. Originally meant to be a Mexican-style restaurant, Keg’s became a gathering place for local teens on Friday and Saturday nights, when live bands were hired to perform rock ‘n’ roll. Keg also performed as a piano player at Connie’s Restaurant and the Edgewater. Around that time he also worked as manager of the Panida Theater, and then ran as a write-in candidate for mayor of Sandpoint against Floyd Gray. He reportedly would have won the election except that so many people wrote in his nickname of Keg, which was not officially counted. He also worked as a substitute teacher at Sandpoint High School, where his passion for the English language served him well.

Bob also worked for Lauren Pietsch at the Sandpoint News-Bulletin, and later helped Pete Thompson begin the Daily Bee Hive, later called the Daily Bee, where he worked as advertising manager.

Bob then began working for the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office as a radio dispatcher, and he and his family moved to the Wrenco area. He became head dispatcher for the sheriff and was proud of his many years of service there.

He was an avid ham radio operator, too, and used the call letter K7-DBG for many years. He also wrote a self-published book titled, “50 True Tales of Northern Idaho.”

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy in 2001; and by his sister, Grace; and brothers, Harvey, Bill and Paul.

He is survived by a son, David (and Tammy) Kellogg in Crossville, Tenn.; a daughter, Judy Kellogg in Spokane; and another daughter, Peggy Lanaville (and husband Karsten Andersen) in Hilleroed, Denmark; also by grandchildren in the Sandpoint area, Jen Lanaville Johnson, Rebecca Lanaville, and Brian Lanaville, as well as eight other grandchildren scattered through the United States; and numerous great-grandchildren. He also is survived by former son-in-law, Don Lanaville (and Debbie) of Medical Lake, Wash.; and good friends, Bob and Ruth Hamilton.

The family wishes to thank the good care given to Bob by Dr. Robert Carlson, Valley Vista Care Center, and Evergreen Assisted Living.

Family and friends are invited to sign Bob’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.