Robert Garland Eachon, 94

Robert Garland Eachon, “Bob,” went to meet Jesus the night of July 28, 2018. Bob was born in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, to Victor Sr. and Emily (Brandon) Eachon on Nov. 27, 1923, and remained a Coeur d’Alene resident his entire life, only leaving to attend college, serve in the military, and compete in the pro boxing circuit.

Bob received his high school diploma from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1942, where he was on the boxing and tumbling team. He was awarded a boxing scholarship from the University of Idaho, where he studied before enlisting in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee in 1943. He was based in Honolulu, but was deployed to Tinian and Saipan during World War II. While serving in the military, Bob continued boxing and, in 1944, won The South Pacific All Service Boxing Championship in the Featherweight division. He spent 3 years in active service during WWII.

Upon his return to the U.S. after the war, he became a pro boxer, fighting under the ring name of Bobby Seabee from 1946-1952 (first pro fight was 5/27/1947 and last pro fight was 2/28/1952). In 1954, he joined the Navy Reserves and served as Chief Builder, retiring in 1974 with rank of Chief Petty Officer. Bob was a lifetime member of the local VFW Post 889.

In July 1948, Bob and Merilyn (Stockton) were married and in the years following welcomed daughters, Karen and Jan, and sons, Robert Jr. and Doug. Bob and Merilyn spent 54 years together before her passing in 2002.

Throughout his life (1952-1973), Bob worked in construction, building many residential homes in the Coeur d’Alene area. Even when Bob wasn’t building houses, he was tinkering with anything and everything. Up until last winter, he enjoyed a healthy and active life. He always had a project he was working on, whether it was building shelves for his tools or shoveling snow from his driveway. Some would call it stubbornness; others would call it determination. Either way, Bob knew how to build things and build them right.

After leaving construction, Bob became the supervisor for the Kootenai County Parks and Waterways Department. He managed all the area public boat launches and campgrounds. This was a perfect job for Bob, as he loved the outdoors and often spent his free time hunting and fishing. He retired from this job in 1988, allowing him to spend more time working in his garden, hiking local trails, and flying.

Bob received his pilot’s license from Weeks Field (where the Kootenai County Fairgrounds is now) after returning from WWII. He eventually purchased a Cessna 150 and used the plane to scope out top-secret huckleberry picking spots, which the whole family benefitted from (he made the best huckleberry pies!).

Bob is survived by current wife, Catherine; brother and sister-in-law, Victor Jr. and Kathryn; daughters, Karen (Dave) Kinne and Jan (Barry) Potter; sons, Robert Jr., and Doug (Donna) Eachon; many nieces and nephews; 11 grandchildren; and 25 great grandchildren.

Many thanks to the employees at Pacifica Courtyard on Sherman for caring for Bob in his final months.

Bob’s memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N. 4th St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with a graveside service will follow.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of arrangements. Please visit Bob’s memorial and sign his online guestbook www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.