Robert William 'Bob' Short, 75

Jan. 20, 1951 — Aug. 1, 2026

Robert William “Bob” Short was born Jan. 20, 1951, in Suffern, N.Y., and grew up there. Although he eventually made his way across the country, his New York accent never left him. It was one of those things that was simply, unmistakably Bob.

Bob lived a full, unconventional life. He played college basketball, backpacked through Europe and eventually settled in Los Angeles, where he met and fell in love with Susie. Together, they built a family and later moved to Idaho, where Bob would put down roots and build a life of his own.

Bob was a self-made man in every sense of the word. He began his career as a stockbroker after an executive happened to witness him at a movie theater, where Bob stepped in to defend a woman who was being unfairly asked to pay for her spilled popcorn. His ability to take command of the situation, stand up for the underdog and find a solution made such an impression on the executive that he offered Bob a position. From there, Bob worked his way up, eventually starting his own publishing and advertising company. What began as one magazine grew into six, and Bob owned and operated his business for more than 25 years.

He worked hard. Very hard. Bob was up at 4 a.m. — to beat L.A. rush hour traffic and he liked having those quiet hours to himself. Later in life, one of his favorite rituals was that same 4 a.m. wake-up with his coffee in the hot tub overlooking Hayden Lake. There was something very fitting about it: the early morning quiet, the coffee, the view and Bob doing things on his own terms.

He was also a wonderful cook, although “recipe” was not really part of his vocabulary. Bob cooked by instinct and rarely measured anything.

Bob believed strongly in the value of a good education and made that possible for his children, Ashlie and Bryan. He was an active and involved father who cared deeply about their upbringing and their future. He worked hard to give them opportunities he believed would matter throughout their lives. His commitment to them was real and lasting.

Bob was a generous man. He was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He volunteered for many years at Children’s Village, giving his time to children who needed support and kindness. He also had a tremendous love for animals. At one point, four rescued dogs found their way into his home, and Bob welcomed them all. They became part of the family — and, naturally, were rewarded with the benefit of Bob’s cooking.

Bob was a complicated man. He could be fiercely independent, stubborn, funny, generous, driven, loving and frustrating — all sometimes in the same afternoon. He was not always easy to know, and he did not always make it easy to stay close. He wasn't perfect at maintaining every relationship in his life, and some chapters became quieter than others. In his later years, he became more private and withdrawn. But none of that erases the love he gave or the imprint he left on the people who knew him.

And there were relationships that endured. Bob had friendships that spanned decades. His best friend, Dennis, remained a constant presence in his life, and the two spoke every week until the end. Some friendships survive because they are effortless; others survive because they have weathered enough life together to become part of who you are. Bob and Dennis had that kind.

Bob leaves behind his daughter, Ashlie; his son, Bryan; his former wife of 34 years, Susie; his older brother, Barry Short, and Barry’s wife and Bob’s dear sister-in-law, Sue; his beloved nieces, Kelli, Laini and Marci, and their children, who were also part of the family he loved; Grayson, who was like a godchild; and Morgan and Mackenzee, the daughters of his beloved niece, Jami, with whom Bob shared a special bond. He is also survived by his sister, Donna, and her children, Katie and Kelly. He was preceded in death by his beloved niece, Jami, and “Mimi” Lois, his cherished mother-in-law.

What Bob leaves behind cannot really be measured by the business he built, the magazines he published or even the many things he accomplished.

It is in the people he loved. It is in the children he worked so hard to raise. It is in the dogs that found their way to his door and were lucky enough to stay. It is in the friends who knew him for decades. It is in the meals he cooked without a recipe. It is in the stories that will be told about him, some with laughter, some with tears and probably a few with a shake of the head. And it is in those quiet Idaho mornings: Bob awake before dawn, coffee in hand, working hard, eventually sitting in his hot tub looking out over Hayden Lake.

Bob was complicated. He was deeply his own person. And he was loved. He will be missed — not because he was perfect, but because he was Bob. There will never be another one quite like him.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please contact the family for details about the service. Family and friends will be invited to gather to honor and remember his life.

Family and friends are invited to sign Bob's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.