Robert Thomas Spalding, 97
Bonners Ferry Herald | UPDATED 1 week, 3 days AGO
Robert T. Spalding was born in Copeland, Idaho, to Henry and Anna (Lipp) Spalding.
At age six Bob started school at McRae in Copeland. In 1938 the family moved to the north side where he continued school at Pine Grove. In 1941 the family moved to the south side where he continued his schooling. Bob joined the Boy Scouts earning all his badges, except Eagle Scout, not meeting the requirements for swimming.
Bob graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1948. During the summer months Bob would truck lumber into parts of Montana, working for his dad at the mill and logging. Bob was drafted into the service in 1953 and married Ione Bennett nine days before leaving for boot camp in San Luis Obispo, Calif. He served in the Signal Corps as a cryto specialist, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. After an honorable discharge in 1955, Bob returned home to continue logging and working at the mill.
In 1961 the mill burnt down, that’s when Bob and his brother, Frank, started their own logging operation. In 1971, they bought Cooks Battery & Electric, where they partnered with Cecil Holmes and changed the name to SS&H Inc. They then built a new building where P1FCU and Edward Jones is now.
In 1993, Bob retired; yet he always found something to keep busy, helping his children, logging, traveling, and serving others in the community.
Bob joined VFW Post 3622 in 1957, becoming an active member, holding most offices. He was quartermaster for 40 years. One of his accomplishments was writing checks to pay for the VFW Post building, which houses the senior center. Bob also belonged to the American Legion, being captain of the Honor Guard for years. Bob was on the Cemetery Board for 30 years, including chairman for 10 years.
Bob loved to garden, read, play cards, and woodworking.
He is preceded in death by his father, Henry; and mother, Anna; an older brother, Virgil; also brothers, Jim, Frank, Ray, Don and Bill; and sister, Eunice Brinkerhoff. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ione; children, Rosanna Sugalski (Terry), Rob Spalding (Patti), Cheryl Wheeler and Teresa Taggart (Marc); sister, Beth Wright (Kearlee); 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Church of the Nazarene, Meadow Creek Road, Bonners Ferry, on June 13, 2026, at 2 p.m.
To leave a message or memory for the family, go to bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family.