Robert D. McFarland
1945 - 2015
Bob passed away on May 1, 2015 of natural causes.
Bob was born in Aberdeen, Washington on October 6, 1945 to Dwayne and Violet McFarland. He lived in the Aberdeen area until he was in the 4th grade when the family moved to Boise in 1955. Bob attended Garfield and Franklin Grade Schools, West Junior High and graduated from Borah High School in 1963. After graduation, he enrolled at Boise Junior College (currently Boise State University) majoring in Engineering.
Bob enlisted in the Army February 26, 1965. After AIT, Bob was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, getting to travel extensively throughout most of Europe. He also made the decision to take his service discharge there and stayed for some time to see and experience much more of that country. In June 1967, his father passed away and he came home on emergency leave. Six months later, when Bob was discharged, he was joined in Europe by two of his high school buddies Jim Dikeman and Dave Anderson for four months of travel of Western Europe, the British Isles and North Africa.
Bob returned to Boise and went to work for Trus Joist Corporation, in an entry level position, waiting for school to start in the fall. That summer job led to a 33 year career. Bob always said "The best thing I ever did was having the opportunity to be able to work on a daily basis with such incredible people." One of his major mentors during his career was the former Trus Joist President and CEO, as well as the former Idaho U.S. Representative Walt Minnick. During his 33 years with Trus Joist, he served as Plant Manager 5 times, built 3 new plants on both sides of the country, did two stints as National Manufacturing Manager, a two-year period as manager of Product Development and R&D and spent his last 5 years as General Manager of Manufacturing for the Western U.S. and Canada. Bob served on the Board of Directors of numerous organizations. His favorite was the Mid-Willamette Valley United Way in Salem, Ore. He also spent years on their Fund Distribution Committees involved with battered women and families. He also spent time for the Salvation Army and other charitable groups during the holiday seasons, primarily in soup kitchens.
In 1970, Bob married Darlene Perrine. They were married for 22 years before divorcing in 1993. They had one daughter, Jennifer. Around the time of his retirement in 2000 he married Kay Hurliman. She and Bob had known each other since the late 60's but had lost contact with each other until their daughter, Jackie reconnected them in 1993. After a 7-year interstate relationship, Bob and Kay married in October of 2000. Kay moved to Eugene, Oregon where they began to travel with numerous trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Belize and the Cook Islands as well as travels in their 38' Winnebago Motorhome. In 2004, they decided to move back to Boise to be near 3 of their 4 grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and youngest brother, Jim. He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughters, Jennifer McCurdy (Loren), and Jackie Tadlock; four grandchildren, Drake Tadlock, Mackenzie Tadlock, Kylie Squires, and Taylor Spear; brother, Dick McFarland; sister, Pat Searle (Barney) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a beloved father, friend and co-worker.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on May 26, 2015 at 11:30 am at Cloverdale Funeral Home followed by Interment at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
To share memories with the family, please visit Bob's memorial webpage at www.cloverdalefuneral.com.