Robert Long

Robert Joseph Long
POCATELLO - A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, coach and mentor, Robert Joseph "RJ" "Bob" Long, age 90, Pocatello, passed away the morning of October 6, 2010, at the Idaho State Veteran's Home, where he had lived for the past eight months. He often reminded us that he was a "good guy" and everyone who knew him wholeheartedly agreed. 
Bob was the fourth of nine children born to Peter and Josephine Long in Pocatello. He grew up during the Depression and, along with his older siblings, assumed early responsibilities when pneumonia took his father at age 49, leaving his mother the sole provider of her family of 10. As a young boy, he found many ways to help contribute to the family's well-being. Family folklore has it that once, when the family ran out of firewood, he resourcefully dismantled the neighbor's fence. 
He attended St. Joseph's Elementary School, where he was proud to have been chosen as an altar boy. After graduating from Pocatello High School, he attempted to enlist in the military, but was turned down for medical reasons by the medical staff in Pocatello, so he traveled to Salt Lake City and was cleared as fit for service by the same military physician who had rejected him in Pocatello. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft electrician during World War II. 
After a successful tour of duty, he came home to Pocatello, where he had the good fortune to catch the eye of Betty, who worked in the Communications Department at the UP Railroad with Bob's sister, Cecelia. They were married in 1950, and spent 60 wonderful years together raising their family of three children, Bob, Mike and Jan. 
Dad could always be found at the ball field coaching, watching and transporting one of his kids to or from practice, depending on the season. He was not only a regular coach for his own kids' teams, but also those of grandson Ryan and several teams between those two generations. Many in Pocatello still have fond memories of Coach Long from Bannock Boys Baseball, youth soccer and basketball, often citing him as their favorite coach.
Always a hard worker, Bob held many positions during his life. Favorite among them were positions as bookkeeper/office manager at Bengal Construction, (where he was also a part owner), Hunziker Construction and Bannock Paving. 
The centerpiece of Bob's life was his family. Evenings and weekends revolved around the family and their many activities. Later, when his adult children proudly presented him with his nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild - Bob could always be found with Betty, sitting on the sidelines at various sporting events, cheering them on (or, during a winter day - watching from the mini-van with one of a succession of Schnauzers, each, regardless of gender, was fondly called "Mollie").  Bob was an avid Notre Dame fan and made several trips to South Bend for "big" games. Bob also enjoyed pheasant hunting with Bobby and Mike. The "hunt" consisted primarily of driving around the countryside and stopping someplace to share a cup of strong coffee, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, stories and Mom's chocolate chip cookies. Those were the hunting necessities. There were times when other items were forgotten, including sufficient fuel, and, on one occasion, shotgun shells. 
In addition to sports, he particularly enjoyed his 3 p.m. daily "afternoon tea" and visit with his longtime neighbor and friend, John Rogers. He also relished his Saturday morning coffee time at Paul and Margaret Vestal's house. 
"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." - Pericles 
Robert J. Long is survived by his wife, Betty; sisters, Margaret Vestal and Cecelia O'Shea, both of Boise; daughter, Jan (Joe) of Pocatello; son Bob (Sally), Boise, and daughter-in-law, Meg Long-Woodhouse. He was preceded in death by his son, Mike (Meg Long), Pocatello. He was " Grandpa R.J." to grandchildren, Candice Hartman, (Randal), Boise; Courtney Long, Boise; Christen Petro (Josh), Boise; Sara Long, London, England; Tucker Long, Denver; Ryan Smith (Emily), Pocatello; Scott Eldredge (fiancée Aubrey Browen) Pocatello; Abbey Morris, Boise; Sam Morris, Pocatello. He was also the Great-Grandpa of Ava Grace, Boise.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Idaho State Veterans Home for their compassionate care, kindness and support over the past few months.  
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Community Building Fund, 524 N. Seventh Ave., Pocatello, Idaho 83201.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, October 9 at 1 p.m. at Downard Funeral Home, 241 N. Garfield Ave. Military rites will be provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard at Mountain View Cemetery.