COEUR d’ALENE — As executive director of the Museum of North Idaho, Britt Thurman knows the area's history.

But even she says she can’t compare to Robert Singletary.

“I don't think there's a single person alive today who knows more about Fort Sherman and the steamboats on Lake Coeur d'Alene than Robert does," she said. "He's kind of like an institution in and of himself."

Thurman said what makes Singletary stand out is that he didn't just keep history alive by knowing a lot of facts. A 15-minute conversation could easily turn into a two-hour history lesson leaving his audience wanting more.

“He lived it and gave it breath. He made history exciting through his enthusiasm for the subjects and for the people who founded this area,” she said.

But, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

After more than 27 years of service to the Museum of North Idaho, Robert Singletary decided to retire.

To many, he is a legend.

He joined the museum's board in 1994, serving for 15 years. He was hired in 2012 as the public relations and marketing director, and led living history walking tours and lectures.

In early 2021, he was promoted to staff historian, a post he well deserved, Thurman said. He connected with people in a way few could.

“Whether you're a fourth-grade student on a field trip, a 30-something wanting to learn more about our history, or an older adult wanting to better understand the impact of time, you could relate to Robert and engage with him," she said.

Singletary also wrote “Coeur d’Alene Beautiful and Progressive,” one of the best-selling books the Museum has published.

The man known for bringing history to life was featured on numerous TV programs in the region.

“Most people look at it, ‘Well, it’s old dead stuff,'" he said in a previous interview with The Press. "I said ‘No, it’s part of who we are.’”

Over the past several years Singletary received several awards and community recognitions including: Governor’s Centennial Achievement Award; Teaching Excellence Award, Lewis-Clark State College; Distinguished Service Award, Idaho State Historical Society; and Friends of History Award, Museum of North Idaho.

In August, he was one of seven Idahoans inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame.

Mayor Steve Widmyer said Singletary “is Coeur d Alene’s historian. He knows more about Coeur d Alene’s history than anyone and a majority of what I’ve learned about CdA I’ve learned from him. He’s a great teacher, mentor and friend.”

Dave Eubanks has been friends with Singletary for about 15 years and they both taught history.

Eubanks called him “a wonderful human being, always looking to help others.”

Eubanks pointed out that Singletary is an author, scholar and musician, too. He's been involved in numerous community and history organizations.

Singletary was instrumental in the construction of the North Idaho Centennial Trail, helped the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, was director of the visitor center and wrote a weekly history column, Kootenai Chronicles, for The Press until 2004.

“I’ve always thought of Robert as a renaissance man,” Eubanks said.

Singletary was known for wearing period clothing — fur trader, Civil War general, banker, lumberjack, boat captain — during his living history programs.

“No one to my knowledge has done more to preserve history in our area than Robert,” Eubanks said. “He is so excited about the history of our area he can’t wait to talk about it. It’s infectious listening to him.”

He called Singletary “one of a kind.”

“There are few people like Robert Singletary around today,” Eubanks said.

In honor of his tireless work, and with the blessing of Robert and his family, the Museum of North Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Historic Preservation Commission, the Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Human Rights Task Force would like the community to join them in dedicating the grounds of Fort Sherman Chapel in Robert’s name.

Donations can be made at museumni.org/donate or by mailing a check to PO Box 812, Coeur d’Alene. Funds will be used to ensure the continuation of Singletary walking tours and to help build the new museum.

Thurman said anyone who has ever met Singletary knows what a special person he is. She said not only does he have an uncanny ability to retain vast amounts of historical knowledge, but he truly loves North Idaho's history and sharing it with others.

“I already miss seeing him in the office every day,” Thurman said. "Robert is just one of those genuine souls that you're blessed to have been able to share a part of your life with.”