Robert Nesbitt, 96
Robert Nesbitt, a lifetime area resident, passed away quietly on Sept. 11, 2016.
Robert was born April 25, 1920, to pioneer residents Mel and Grace Nesbitt. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1939 and attended classes at Washington State University. In 1941, he married his high school classmate and sweetheart, Enid Pierce.
He worked for Boeing in Seattle until joining the Navy in 1941. He was assigned to the USS Cecil, which was stationed in the South Pacific. He also served for a short time in occupied Japan.
After the war, Robert returned to Sandpoint and worked as an apprentice cabinet maker at the Ramsey Cabinet shop. He and Enid built two houses together, one in Sandpoint and one in Sagle. He worked on various construction projects including the Cabinet Gorge and Albeni Falls dams, and the Long Bridge in Sandpoint. For many years, he was the postman for the Sagle post office, retiring in 1977.
Robert was a good father and took part in Scouting, Demolay, and was a 4-H leader. Robert was a Shriner and active in the Masonic lodge. He helped many children receive services through Shriner’s Hospital. Robert and Enid enjoyed many friendships playing cards, camping, and traveling together. They both enjoyed reading and discussing history.
After retiring, Robert and Enid enjoyed working on the family farm and traveling in their camper seeing most of the USA. They also did extensive traveling of the world, seeing many countries until Enid died in 1994. Later, Robert would winter in Arizona.
In 1999, Robert married Wilma Countryman. They wintered in Yuma and spent summers in Troy, Mont. In 2014, Robert moved to the Alpine Vista retirement home, where he made many friends. Above all else, Robert was a devout Christian and active in church activities.
Robert was preceded in death by his youngest son, David; a grandchild, Casey; his brother, John; and sisters Sarah Butler, Grace Belle Pope and Deanne Studebaker. He is survived by his sister, Alice Lynch of Anchorage; his son, Patrick of Molalla, Ore.; and daughters Katina (Kathy) Nesbitt of Priest River, Idaho, and Rya {Roberta} Levy of Twin Falls, Idaho; and six grandchildren and11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at the Masonic Lodge, 319 N. Second Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, on Sept. 30, at 10 a.m., with a reception following at the Masonic Lodge.
Donations can be given to the Shriner’s Hospital in Robert’s name.
Family and friends are invited to sign Robert’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.