Robert H. Collyer

Robert H. “Bob” Collyer passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at Bonner General Hospital, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Services will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 2:00pm at the Wellspring Community Center in Bonners Ferry, Idaho with internment following in the Grandview Cemetery. Bob was born on October 9, 1931, in Bellingham, WA to Warren and Gladys (Horan) Collyer. He moved to Bonners Ferry with his family when he was in the 6th Grade. Bob graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1949 and served as Student Body President. Bob married Phyllis Chervenell in 1951 in Bonners Ferry. In his younger years, Bob worked as a mechanic for Frank Lenhart in his garage and also as the projectionist for the Rex Theatre. In 1960, Bob and Phyllis purchased the Fashion Cleaners and operated it until their retirement in 1994. Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman. He taught his sons and grandsons to hunt and fish and also a number of their friends. At one time, one of the young men accidentally shot a hole in the floor of the van while out hunting; Bob never batted an eye and just covered it up with a rug. Bob was an active member of the community. He was a Boy Scout Leader for many years and attended the World Jamboree in 1969 with his Troop #114. He was also active in the Lions Club and many remember him for his cooking and for many years of dying and hiding thousands of Easter eggs for the children of the area. Bob was a 35 year member of the City Planning and Zoning Committee. He believed in giving back to the community that he loved. Bob and Phyllis were long time members of the Bonners Ferry Boat Club and spent many summers at Smokey Acres taking his children and all their friends waterskiing. Over the years, Bob had also been active the Jaycees, Shrine, Chamber of Commerce, Masons, and the Knights of Pythias. Bob took great enjoyment in taking his daily trips to town to have coffee with the guys and picking the mail up at the post office and just taking a look around town to see what was going on. If noticed someone needing help, he would always stop and lend a hand. Bob is survived at home by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis, six children: Vicki Collyer of Coeur d’Alene, ID; Mike and Cathy Collyer of San Antonio, TX; Jim Collyer of Elko, NV; John Collyer of Kalispell, MT; Bob and Gail Collyer of Elko, NV and Kris and Brad Maley of Rosalia, WA. Bob and Phyllis have 11 grandchildren: Sean Walter, Amanda Collyer, Sara Collyer Matthews, Marty Collyer, Jesse Haworth, Karly Collyer, Stephanie Collyer, Jackie Collyer, Katelyn Maley, Briann Maley and Ryan Maley. Bob and Phyllis also have 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Glen, his sister, Phyllis Lozier, and his brother, Roger Collyer. Bob had a great sense of humor and could always come up with a story to tell. He was easy going, and had a twinkle in his eye and was happy to see people and would often leave them by saying “Be good, like me”.