Robert 'Goose' Manuel Legasa, 84

Robert “Goose” Manuel Legasa passed away Aug. 10, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, stories, friendships and a family who loved him dearly.

Bob was born in San Francisco, Calif., on Nov. 30, 1941, to Bernadine “Betty” and Mariano “Maurice” Legasa, who had immigrated from France to the United States. He grew up just one block from Golden Gate Park, where much of his younger life was spent exploring and playing in the park.

Bob attended school in San Francisco at George Washington High School, where he met his first wife, Nancy Edmonston. The two were married for a short time and welcomed their son, Robert William Legasa, in 1961.

In his early 20s, Bob began what would become a lifelong career as a painter. He worked for Zelinsky and Sons for several years, learning the craft that would provide his livelihood for more than six decades. In 1972, Bob married Annie Zelker. Together they built a life and welcomed their daughter, Jamie Legasa, in 1980.

In 1974, Bob and Annie moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in search of a lifestyle better suited to the things they loved. Two years later, in 1975, Bob started his own painting company, RML Painting. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, RML Painting grew to become one of North Idaho’s largest painting contractors. Bob operated the company for more than 30 years before semi-retiring in 2010

Bob was also a huge fixture in the softball community. For more than 50 years, he played elite-level softball locally, regionally and nationally. He played on numerous championship teams, winning dozens of tournaments, titles and state championships, including the World Series of Softball in 2008. RML Painting was also a tremendous supporter of the Coeur d’Alene softball community, sponsoring elite men’s and women’s teams as well as youth baseball.

But softball was only one part of Bob’s love for the outdoors. He was an avid outdoorsman, and there was rarely a time when he wasn’t looking forward to his next adventure. During the spring and summer, you could often find him fishing on Hayden Lake. When fall arrived, he headed to the mountains to hunt elk and deer or spent his mornings in a duck blind pursuing waterfowl. During the winter, you could also find him up at one of the local ski mountains skiing. 

Perhaps one of Bob’s greatest joys came in the early 1990s, when he became “Grandpa Bob” to Allison and Hannah Legasa. He never missed a birthday, family gathering or opportunity to spend time with his granddaughters. He loved introducing them to the outdoors — and occasionally taking them out of school for the opening day of duck season, much to the surprise of their mother.

Bob was an exceptional grandfather and an even more loving great-grandfather. His great-grandchildren, Lane and Parker Hilbert and Leighton Armstrong, brought him immense pride and happiness.

For all of his 52 years in Idaho, Bob called Hayden home. He became a familiar face throughout the community and was a fixture for decades at the Owl Café and, for more than three decades, at Toro Viejo. These were places where friendships were made, stories were told and Bob could often be found doing what he loved most — visiting with people.

And Bob loved to tell stories.

Anyone who knew Bob knows that he always had a story to tell. Some were about softball, some about hunting and fishing, some about family and some were simply stories that had grown better with age. What mattered was that Bob had a way of bringing people together, making them laugh and leaving them with a memory they would carry with them.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Bernadine “Betty” and Maurice Legasa, and his brother, Alfred Legasa.

He is survived by his daughter, Jamie Legasa of San Diego, Calif.; his son, Bob Legasa; daughter-in-law Jane Legasa; granddaughters Allison and Hannah Legasa; and great-grandchildren Lane and Parker Hilbert and Leighton Armstrong, all of Hayden, Idaho.

A memorial service will be held in Bob’s honor at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, followed by a celebration of life at Toro Viejo in Hayden immediately following the service. Please visit Bob’s online tribute at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. 

Friends are invited to join the family in celebrating Bob’s life, sharing stories, laughing about old memories and remembering a man who never seemed to run out of either.