Robert Croot Jr., 82

Robert Carol Croot Jr. passed away peacefully Dec. 29, 2024, of renal disease.

He was born in Summit, N.J., to Robert and Virginia Cady Croot, grew up in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1966 with a teaching degree in general sciences.

Croot graduated Naval Officer Candidate School in 1966 and served as a diving officer in Virginia, Washington D.C., Iceland, and Vietnam (for which he received a medal of commendation). He started his freelance diving business in the Baltimore area in 1974 and dove on waterways on five continents and in the Middle East over his 30-year business before retiring to Idaho in 2002.

He was well-known in the antique diving helmet circles where he was published and occasionally featured in newspapers and journals for his historic displays of rare helmets.

Bob loved nature and was a hunter, gardener, fisherman, and downhill skier. He also had a lifelong fascination with riding and racing motorcycles. The love of his life and wife of 55 years, Nelda June Lien Croot, preceded him in death June 6, 2023. 

Bob leaves behind two daughters, Leslie Carol Croot, (Missoula, Mont.) and Cynthia Anne Croot (Pittsburgh, Pa.), along with Cynthia's two step-daughters, Kate and Sloane Koller; and his siblings, Richard Croot (Sequim), Susan Tweedale and Sandy Calhoun, both residing in Arkansas; brother-in-law Keith (and Betty) Lien of Post Falls, Idaho; and sister-in-law Sylvia (and Marvin) Kunz of Portland, Ore.

Moving back "home" to Idaho, he re-found his heavenly Father, and Cady cousins, Croot cousins, Lien cousins, Lakin cousins, spectacular nieces and nephews, CDA classmates, hillside neighbors and new family at Southside Community Church in Cocolalla, Idaho. 

Robert's military service was recognized at the Post Falls Veteran's Hospital where he spent his last days.

 The scattering of his ashes will take place in a private ceremony. If you have stories and remembrances about Bob to share with his family, or would like more details about his memorial, please contact cynthiacroot@gmail.com.