Robert William Carpenter, a former resident of Post Falls, Idaho, was born on May 28, 1929 in Castile, New York to Thomas Esaie and Marie Elizabeth (Adamson) Carpenter. He passed from this earth on May 2, 2014. He had three brothers and two sisters who all preceded him in life and death. His family consisted of Thomas and Marie and in order of their birth, James Gormley, Barbara Mary Wenner, Richard Douglas, Lorraine Thorne Ivers, Thomas Arthur and Robert William Carpenter.

When Robert was one year old, the family moved from New York to California. His father, Thomas, was employed by the National Park Service and spent many years as a Landscape Architect. Robert (or Bob, as he was known to many), grew up in Burlingame, California. He also lived in Chicago, Illinois and Redding, California. He joined the Army at the end of World War II and was sent for duty in occupied Japan. After working for a time as a civilian and learning to fly small planes while attending San Mateo Junior College, Bob joined the Navy where he perfected his pilot skills. He always loved airplanes from the time he was a small boy, flying balsa wood planes out of his second story bedroom window.

After his time in the Navy, Bob married and became the father of five children. His career was in Data Processing as a computer programmer/analyst. He also had a great love of classical music. He was able to hear the first few notes of a song and was able to identify the piece and the composer. He had a proficient knowledge of the scriptures and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Bob has been a resident of the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise since April of 2013. He is survived by his current wife, Karen Carpenter of Meridian, Idaho; one son, Robert Russel Carpenter of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and 3 daughters: Roma Diane Kipp of Spokane, Washington; Carolyn Anne Johnson of Vancouver, Washington; and Julie Lorraine Kamps of Post falls, Idaho; as well as two step children, Richard Scott Gardner of Auburn, Washington and Denise Rachael Gardner of Meridian, Idaho. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Boise, Idaho on May 16, 2014 at 10:00 am.