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BORN
1932
DIED
2021
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Robert Suggs Obituary
February 24, 1932 - April 17, 2021
Boise, Idaho - On April 17, 2021, Robert Carl Suggs, PhD, 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Boise ID, due to heart failure. Son of Middleton O. and Almira Barnes Suggs, he grew up in Byram, CT, graduating from Greenwich High School in 1949. He interrupted his college years by serving in US Marine Corp, married Rachel Brown, a Greenwich RN, in Sept. 1951, returned to obtain his BA, MA, and PhD degrees in Anthropology at Columbia University, NYC. He spent 17 months doing archaeology on the Polynesian Marquesan island of Nuku Hiva. He was author of more than 8 books, on a variety of subjects from archeology to Alexander the Great to nuclear survival. After years of private, government jobs and attaining the rank of Captain in the USNR, he retired to teach karate and lecture on cruise ships for the next 15 years. He moved to Boise ID to be near family in 1999.
Bob was preceded in death by his brother William, two children Jennifer and Wayne. He leaves behind his loving wife of 69 1/2 years Rachel , his son Donald Suggs, 2 granddaughters Emma and Eva Suggs, and Terri Suggs. He will live in the hearts and minds of family and friends.
For more information see www.bowmanfuneral.com. Internment will be in the Idaho State Veteran Cemetery, May 12, 2021.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Suggs
Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.
4 Entries
John Bash
August 21, 2025
Bob was the epitome of a naval officer and gentleman. He stood by his friends, who came from all walks of life. He was both cerebral and warm. He was a man of integrity. There is no reason to go on. If you were privileged to know him, you have your own words to praise him. RIP
John Bash
Steven Grogan
February 19, 2025
I was honored to have Naval Reserve CAPTAIN Bob Suggs attend my swearing in when I was commissioned as a Naval Reserve Officer in March 1986. I remember serving as a civilian with him in the Pentagon circa 1988. Bob was highly analytical, a deep thinker, and a real gentleman. May he rest in peace.
Steven M. Grogan
Commander, USNR (Retired)
Chuck Elbel
May 19, 2021
It is with a very sad heart to hear of Bob's passing. My family made a wonderful connection with the Suggs family through my friendship, and being a roommate, with their son Wayne in the early 1980's. I spent wonderful evenings at the Suggs' home in Culpepper as Rae and Bob opened their home to me as a young Navy man they took under their wing. After leaving the DC area and losing touch with the Suggs family for several years, I walked into a facility in a remote DoD South Pacific installation and was surprisingly face to face with Bob asking...."What are you doing here??"...as I said the same thing back to him. We reunited and then refocused on our mission at hand. That was the last time I had the honor of sharing time with Bob. He visited my family in Texas and the friendship was immediate and unbreakable. Bob was so diverse in his interests but at the same so focused. I wish that I could even approach that level of professionalism and dedication.
My condolences to Rae and Don for the passing of Bob. He lived a life that was so unique and amazing. I wish we could all have had the opportunity have seen the world through his eyes.
So many words to say....but I'm at a loss so I will close with a quote from Tennyson.
"Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar."
Shirley Worden Young
May 12, 2021
Sad news. Bob was my husband, Ken Young's, GHS classmate and friend. They sang on Greenwich Radio Station with Neil Pultz and Barry Morley while in school. Ken often spoke of Bob and the fun they had at GHS. Ken passed away in 1991 at the age of 61 from lung cancer. My sincere condolences to you all.
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