Robert “Bob” Ward, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away July 29, 2023. He was the only child of his deceased parents, Cliff and Grace (Miller) Ward. Born in Colorado, he was raised in Spokane since he was a toddler.

Bob is survived by his second wife of 51 years, Mary Ward. His first marriage bore him his daughter, Stacy Lynn Hawley of Post Falls, Idaho, and his son, Brian Ward of Spokane Valley, Wash. His two grandchildren, James Ward and Dylan Ward, also live in Spokane, Wash.

Bob was a good football player at his high school, West Valley. He went on to college and attended Washington State University and Eastern Washington University, where he received his BA degree in business. He worked at various jobs, such as bricklayer and volunteer forest fire service. He settled as an insurance adjuster for a 35+ year career. Bob started with Crawford & Co. and transferred to Anchorage, Alaska, for eight wonderful, exciting and fun-filled years with Mary. While in Anchorage, he went to work for Farmers Insurance Group and transferred back to Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, where he retired in 2006.

Bob and Mary were both lovers of the great outdoors. While in Alaska, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking, hiking, cross country and downhill skiing, as well as they both went on exciting once-in-a-lifetime events like hiking the Chilkoot Pass. He especially was proud to have earned his small plane pilot’s license in Anchorage. Since returning from Alaska, Bob and Mary lived in Otis Orchards, Wash., for 11 years and then Dalton Gardens, Idaho, for 30 years to the present time.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, Mary encourages donations to Companions Animal Center (www.companionsanimalcenter.org) (formerly Kootenai Humane Society) as well as Hospice of North Idaho (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org).

A memorial service and prayers will be held for Bob at 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. Please visit Bob’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.