Robert Charles Lange

The family of Robert (Bob) Charles Lange, 67, of Eagle ID, is heartbroken to share that he passed away unexpectedly on October 2 while working in his office.

Bob is survived by his wife; Laureen Stokes Lange; daughters; Alexandra Velardes (husband Andrew Velardes), Samantha Lange (husband Chadd Bergland), Casey Lange and Sydney Lange; grandchildren; Avery Zosso Velardes, Beckett Otto Bergland (Bob), Persephone (Percy) Wren Velardes; brother; Frederick (Fred) Karl Lange. Both his parents predeceased him.

Bob was born on March 14 (Pi Day to his friends), 1956 to Frederick Charles Lange and Beverly Jane Matson Lange in Tampa, Florida. After Bob graduated from Pullman High School in 1973, he attended Washington State University, graduating with a degree in Physical Education. He went on to study Accounting at the University of Idaho and graduated with high honors passing all sections of his Certified Public Accounting exams on the first attempt. It is during this period that he met his future wife, Laureen Stokes, a Moscow High School graduate and resident who also attended the University of Idaho - they married August 15, 1981 in Moscow, ID - recently celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary. They shared a love of Swing Dancing and were show-stoppers.

Bob served in several positions as CPA throughout his long career, moving from Moscow to Eagle, ID in 1996. His most recent, as partner in a small firm in Boise, ID. He volunteered treasurer services to the University of Idaho boosters club.

Bob was born into an Air Force family, this affectionately makes him a military brat. He was born at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) then the family moved to McConnell AFB, Wichita Kansas before moving to RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, England where his father flew B-47 bombers. Bob and his brother attended rural English schools for a couple years before attending US schools there. In 1964, the family moved to College Hill, Pullman, WA where his father was assigned to an Air Force ROTC Assistant Professorship position. Bob was the beneficiary of the Pullman Public School system and, apart from a semester of school in Wheatland, CA (Pullman appreciation duty), it was all a very positive experience.

Bob was an excellent high school athlete playing football at the running back position and catcher on high school and American Legion baseball teams. He was also an avid skier. He played on the WSU Club Rugby team until he experienced a shattered ankle. While attending University, he tended bars in both Pullman and Moscow, a talent his more recent acquaintances greatly appreciated. Bob was managing, the still popular, Rico's Public House in Pullman when a serious fire broke out and he evacuated the less than cooperative clientele outside where they watched Pullman's finest save the adjacent buildings.

In adulthood, Bob was a committed husband, father and grandfather. The family often went camping or took advantage of their timeshare around the Northwest. He stole the show (almost) with his Father/Daughter swing dance at Sam's wedding. This summer, he set his camper up at Couer d'alene, ID and shared time with family and close friends. He became an expert in BBQ grilling and a welcome tailgater at WSU and U of I football games. Bob's engaging personality and easy demeanor earned him "love this guy" status among those he shared time with. Bob was trivia king about popular music. He was adopted by his brother's class (a couple years senior), attended their reunions and traveled to gatherings in Memphis to New Orleans (Blues Trail), Key West (Music Festival), Louisville (bourbon Trail), Civil War battlefields (Wilderness, VA), Friday Harbor and Victoria, BC, a cruise from Montreal to Boston and more. Prior to attending his last home game at WSU (Oregon State), he took the time to procure Ferdinands ice cream and deliver it to the Pullman Senior Center. A friend who knows Bob well recently said "...when Bob is around, magical things happen - he is the sweetest guy ever. "

A Memorial/Celebration of Life service will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make contributions of your choice to U of I or WSU scholarship/athletic funds.