Robert 'Moose' Carl Verdal, 72
"Moose" passed away at Bonner General Health on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, from a stroke. Having endured several major medical issues since 2009, he was not able to go on and will be greatly missed.
Robert Carl Verdal was born Dec. 6, 1950, to Mary (Jones) and Thor Verdal in Sandpoint. He grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, influenced by the characters and the character of Sandpoint. (A few of those family names are: Garvey, Boeck, Larson, Johnson, Parker, Parkins, Payne, Erickson, Clark, Irish, Remmers, and the families of St. Agnes Episcopal Church.) He did some hunting, fishing, and skiing in those younger years. He graduated as a fun-loving member of the SHS Class of ’69.
He married Vicki Bradetich in January of 1971 and instantly became a member of the Bradetich and Hawkins clans of greater Sagle. In the next few years, they had three children, Bobbi, Randy and Andrea, and made their home mostly in Sagle. The family took a major hit when Vicki was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in August of 1985. Devastated, Moose and the kids relied on a couple of “villages” to get them through.
Moose’s working life was mostly in the car dealerships of North Idaho and Eastern Washington. Along the way, he lived in many places, had a few relationships, and made many friends.
In the summer of 2003, Moose took the opportunity to go back to Naknek, Alaska, as the manager of the Bristol Bay NAPA store (Auto and Marine Parts). He seemed to thrive in that setting, being a problem-solver, especially for the fishermen, and a good friend to many year-round residents. He served as Santa for village children and usually had a crockpot to take to the Sunday football parties. (The Super Bowl party is legendary.) His Naknek brother was RayRay, and of course, he befriended “The Girls.”
One of the numerous medical issues forced him to retire to North Idaho in 2016. He spent much of his retirement living with his daughters and enjoying time with family. He was a diehard Seahawks fan and enjoyed a daily stop at some of the numerous barista stands for a “frap.” (He was always generous with his servers.)
Moose, Bobbi and Curtis lost almost everything in a house fire this past summer, and just 10 days before he passed, they were able to move back on to the Bradetich farm in Sagle. He spent his last few days with a view of the farm, watching the animals. His adult travels on earth had come full circle and then to an end.
If you didn’t know Bob/Moose very well, not enough can be said in this space. If you did know him fairly well, nothing more really needs to be said.
Bob is survived by his mother, Mary; brother, Larry; daughter, Bobbi (Curtis) Quenzer; son, Randy; and daughter, Andrea (Rob) Ryan. He leaves grandchildren David (Sam), Craig, Caitlynn, Darion, Micaela, Alora, Shayna, Mackenzie and Nora. His great-grandchildren are Avin, Avery, Eden, Dominic and Zayden. Several cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous in-laws made up his extended family.
Preceding him in death were his Verdal grandparents, Ole and Lena; his Jones grandparents, Tom and Bea; his father, Thor; his beloved wife, Vicki; her parents, Dick and Janie Bradetich; his granddaughter, Darlene; his great-granddaughter, Adonya; his sister-in-law, Trisha; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Moose also lost his canine companion, Chewey, and best buddy, RayRay Cottle.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at the Ponderay Event Center. In lieu of flowers, please tip your barista double today!
Family and friends are invited to sign Moose’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.