Robert Hill

Surrounded by his loving family, Robert “Bob” Hill found peace after his long battle with COPD on July 19, 2018, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Although Bob was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on Feb. 2, 1942, he and his sister, Jeanette were raised by their parents, Les and Avis Hill, in North Long Beach, Calif., where they went to school. Bob later joined the Air Force in 1959, where he trained as a jet aircraft mechanic. He married Laurie McLachlin on Nov. 11, 1961, while still in the Air Force.

After his stint in the military Bob and Laurie started their family, bringing their firstborn into the world in 1962. Little did the young couple know at the time that they would have five more children who would add to the family legacy, flourishing a loving family unit today that is comprised of 60 and still growing.

To support his new family, Bob worked assembling Standard Oil signs in Anaheim, Calif., while on a waiting list to attend the electrical apprenticeship program at Long Beach City College. After a year, Bob was accepted into the program. His strong work ethics and love of all things sign-related was evident early on; he attended college at night while working during the day at Electrical Products.

Bob continued to advance in the sign industry that he had a passion for, working for several organizations. He found his niche installing score and message boards while working for American Sign and Indicator in the late 1960s. The first scoreboard he installed was a Stuart Warner at Anaheim Stadium behind the left field fence.

In 1970 Bob and Laurie moved their still-growing family to north Idaho. During this time, Bob worked for several other sign companies in Spokane, Wash., and eventually opened his own business, Signs and Electrical Maintenance, in Idaho. He later made a career switch and went to work as project manager and an installation supervisor for Daktronics in January of 2000, and retired from them in 2018. During his career, Bob continually traveled for the projects he was involved in, and had his hand in countless score and message board installs. Ironically, although he visited and worked at an abundant amount of sports stadiums, he rarely took an interest in watching games.

Bob and his wife Laurie built a house and lived in Rathdrum, Idaho, then moved later and built another on Ramsey road in Athol, Idaho. When he was not traveling for work, Bob and his first family of six were deeply involved for many years with the Ramsey Raiders 4-H program, raising pigs, chickens and a beloved pony. Bob enjoyed teaching his kids how to shoot and hunt, and worked on his land when he could. However, just as Bob made changes in his career, so did he in his life as well. He parted ways with his first wife, Laurie in 1991 after 29 years, and remarried twice before he passed.

For his second marriage, he found love with Connie LeBlanc. They wed on Feb. 14, 1992, with Connie’s four children in attendance: Jason, Scott, Krista and Kelly. The blended family settled at the foot of Round Mountain, where Bob continued to bond with his step-children, passing on his love of the outdoors and hunting. The family later moved to California, where Bob remained with Connie until her passing in 2007.

Bob moved back to Idaho in 2008 to spend his later years with his still growing first family. During this time, he found love a third time during his travels for work. Fate and a chance meeting at Perkins brought him and Mary Haughn together. Mary and Bob, or “Silver Fox” as his new wife dubbed him, were married at Twin Lakes, Idaho, on June 13, 2011. Bob’s marriage to Mary blessed him with two more step-children: Chris and Shannon Haughn. He once again found himself as nurturer and mentor to his two new children, showering them with just as much love as the rest.

Bob was best known for his ready smile, hearty chuckle and ingenuity, and was always there when a friend needed a hand. He loved his friends like family and loved a cold brew and a good time. A friend once described him as a true gentleman, and he surely was. Bob will be greatly missed and truly loved by all he touched with his kind-hearted charisma and good nature.

To be sure, Bob left a family legacy to be proud of. A family who call each other friends. Bob is survived by his sister, Jeanette Albritton; first wife, Laurie (Hill) Goldsmith and his third wife, Mary (Haughn) Hill. He is survived by his children, Renee (Larry) Gross, Gina (Jeff) Farmer, Andy (Kim) Hill, April (Dan) Roth, Joe (Leah) Hill and Christie Hill-Odekirk. Bob’s step-children include Kelly, Jason, Scott and Krista LeBlanc, and Chris and Shannon Haughn. His two nieces are Chaelie Postma and Shawnee Hopewell.

Bob was blessed and is survived by grandchildren, Kraig (Sara) Gross, Katrina (Jeremy) Fuher, Kyle (Jessica) Gross, Pat (Hope) Farmer, Jackie (Sean) Jamieson, Chris (Jen) Farmer, Jessica (Kevin) Hughes, Megan (Kyle) Overland, Trevor Roth, Tristan (Kourtney) Roth, Drew Hill, Kelsey, Christian and Konner Odekirk, Haley Churchill, Tayah and Bianca Hill and 21 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life and potluck luncheon will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2018, at the Roth residence, 10170 W. Twin Lakes Road Rathdrum, Idaho.