Robert Walter 'Bob' Bosworth
Robert
Walter "Bob" Bosworth, 73, passed away
unexpectedly on January 17, 2014 at his Bonners
Ferry home. Services were held on January 24, at
Trinity Lutheran Church in Bonners Ferry.Bob was born June 19, 1940, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Albert M. and Phyllis W. Bosworth. They lived in Socorro, New Mexico, while Al was going to school. In 1944, their daughter Jane was born and shortly afterwards they moved to Silver City, New Mexico, where Bob and Jane attended school.
While at Western High School, Bob was active in sports, band, was a delegate to Boys State, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
In 1958, after graduating from high school, he entered the forestry program at Montana State University at Missoula. While at MSU, he was very active in the forestry club. He was in Chi Sigma Phi (ΧΣΦ) where he received the Silas Thompson award. He was club vice-president 1960-61 and Chief Push of the Foresters Ball in 1962.
He was also Honor Council chairman 1961-62. It was at MSU that Bob first tried logger sports. He was Co-Bull of the Woods at the 1961 AWFC Conclave. Logger sports were to be a life-long activity.
He went to work on the Bungalow Ranger District on the Clearwater National Forest after graduation. He met his future wife, Jill, on a blind date to the Foresters Ball. After 13 months as a medic in Korea, Bob returned to Missoula, where he and Jill were married on June 5, 1965.
After four more months in the Army in California, the Bosworths returned to North Idaho to the Kelly Creek District on the Clearwater National Forest.
In 1967 Bob’s future sawing partner, Carson, was born. In 1968, the family left Orofino, Idaho, for Bonners Ferry, where Bob was a forester on the Bonners Ferry Ranger District. In 1970, daughter Megan was born.
Bob became a certified Silviculturist and fire manager until he retired from the Forest Service in 1997.
While in Bonners Ferry, Bob was active in the community in many ways, including the Jaycees and Kiwanis, where he was chairman of the Kiwanis basketball program.
Besides being devoted to his family, Bob had several interests that were extremely important to him, including the Society of American Foresters.
He was the first field forester ever elected president of SAF.
After his national term, he continued to be active in the Selkirk Chapter of SAF and he served as general chairman of the 1989 national SAF convention.
Logger sports were a great part of his life. He was very proficient with a cross cut saw. One of Bob’s fondest wishes was to saw with Carson. Their double bucking team won several world championships. His best Jack and Jill partner was daughter Megan. Bob also wanted to saw with grand-sons, and did so several times with his oldest, Hunter, with Sawyer, the younger, helping as oiler.
Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jill; son Carson of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; daughter Megan (Phil) Shelmerdine of Seeley Lake, Montana, with grandsons Hunter and Sawyer, of whom he was extremely proud; sister Jane (Jack) Sturgis, El Paso, Texas; nieces Joselyn and Michelle and several cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Al and Phyllis Bosworth.
Bob was loved and highly respected in all aspects of his life and will be deeply missed by all who knew him, as he left some very large shoes to be filled.
Family and friends are invited to sign Bos’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.