Robert William Halliday

1920 - 2017

Robert (Bob) William Halliday
1920 - 2017
Robert (Bob) William Halliday, 97, passed away peacefully on February 15th, 2017. At his bedside was his loving wife of 65 years, his four children, and many other family members. Bob will always be remembered for his big personality, boisterous laugh, generous nature, and passion for education.
Bob was born January 29th, 1920 in New Haven, Connecticut to William and Vivian Halliday (the oldest of five children). He was raised in St. Louis, Missouri and Quincy, Illinois. In 1936, at the age of 16, Bob entered Yale University. At Yale, Bob played on the varsity basketball team and swam competitively, learning the disciplines which brought championships to the great Yale teams of his era.
Shortly after graduating from Yale in 1941, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and his leadership ability quickly brought him from Platoon Sergeant to Company Commander and earned him seven Purple Hearts. After storming Omaha Beach on D-Day, Bob was severely injured and had to teach himself how to read, write and speak again while recuperating with other injured veterans at the Kellogg mansion in Battle Creek, Michigan.
After the War, he started his career as a CPA working for Arthur Anderson. His work began in New York but quickly moved him to The District of Columbia, Seattle, and eventually Boise in 1956. Once in Boise he built a career with Boise Cascade. Boise Cascade benefited from his particularly astute ability in financial problem solving and decision making, with Bob as its Vice President, Treasurer and Director. Forbes magazine described Bob as the "Brains behind the dizzying growth and acquisitions of Boise Cascade."
Bob was instrumental in helping found Princess Cruises to tour the Mexican Riviera. He also led the merger of environmental service and manufacturing company Wheelabrator-Frye and helped launch the Franchise Finance Corporation of America. During the 1980's he owned and operated the IL Ranch in Northern Nevada, totaling close to a million acres.
Throughout his life, he served on numerous corporate boards. He devoted much of his time to countless charitable organizations, including the FUNDSY auction of Boise, the YMCA. He also served on the Board of Directors for St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Later in life, Bob established the Halliday Foundation.
Bob was a firm believer in higher education and supported the education of his children, grandchildren and many other educational institutions. In 2004, the university of Idaho awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Administrative Science.
His legacy is carried out by his wife, Roberta, his four children; Norman Halliday, Margaret Reed, Patricia Wilcox, and Jane Hawley; twelve grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his partents, William and Vivian Halliday and by two sisters, Betty Bayer and Jeam Baggerman, and two brothers, Norman and John Halliday.
A private Family Memorial Will be held at a later date and condolences may be sent to 1619 N. Moorland Place, Eagle. 83616.