Robert 'Bob' Klatt, 65

Our beloved Bob departed this earth peacefully, surrounded by his wife and family on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, at Kootenai Health Center.

Bob faced many health challenges in the last years of his life and his unwavering courage, calm acceptance and grace inspired all who knew him.

Bob was born on Oct. 9, 1950, in Ritzville, Wash., to Robert and Genevieve Klatt. The family moved to Garfield Bay, Idaho, in 1956. As a boy, he enjoyed living on the lake with his nine siblings. Swimming, boating, water skiing, and of course, fishing, were activities that he especially enjoyed. He was athletic and played baseball, basketball and football. He spent many hours honing his baseball skills while standing on the shoreline batting rocks into the lake.

Bob graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1968 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Idaho. Bob met his wife, Naticia Litven in Packwood, Wash., where he lived while working for the Forest Service. They were married in 1999 and relocated to Sandpoint in 2003, which was always the place he thought of as home. Together, they skied regularly at Schweitzer and took to the tennis courts during the summer months. He worked as an engineer for the U.S. Forest Service until he retired in 2006.

Bob had an incredible talent for working with wood, but more than anything, we will always remember him through his love for music. Bob taught himself to play guitar as a teenager, and by the ninth grade was playing and singing vocals with a band, performing for dances and parties. Music was a lifelong love for Bob and making music with his friends brought him his greatest joy.

Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Brian; and his parents, Robert and Genevieve. He is survived by his wife, Naticia; a son, Liam (Joelle); his grandson, Garrett; his sisters, Mary (Bob) Hoekzema, Teresa (Hugh) Leedy, Eileen (Pat Bistline) Klatt, Colleen (Larry Eckman) Klatt, and Susan (Randy) Rapp; his brothers, Steve (Susie Lewis), Phillip (Ana Mogro) and Paul (Joyce Kratz-Klatt). He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, and two aunts.

A potluck gathering will take place at noon on Sunday, Sept. 4, at the home of Steve Klatt.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook, for Bob, at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Final arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint, Idaho.