Robert Alfred Hoskins

Obituary Robert Hoskins October 24, 1938 – December 26, 2025
Our beloved dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend has taken his final ride into the sunset of life. After a valiant fight with cancer, he left in peace surrounded by his loving family at the age of 87 on the ranch he cherished.
Robert Alfred Hoskins was born on October 24, 1938, in Brigham City, Utah to Ella Nielsen and Herman Wells Hoskins. He spent his early years developing his infallible work ethic farming with his parents and siblings, Donna, Connie and Patti in Willard, Peterson and Brigham City, Utah as well as Aberdeen and Fort Hall, Idaho.
After graduating high school in Blackfoot, Idaho in 1956, he pursued his love of rodeo traveling the circuit winning buckles and saddles, living the cowboy dream. While visiting family in Utah, he met Kay Miller and knew he needed to marry her!
They were married September 2, 1961, in Reno, Nevada and later solemnized their marriage in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were blessed with four children -two boys, Shawn and Weston and twin girls, Rebecca and Liesel. In 1968, with four young children, he began building his ranching legacy in Blackfoot, Idaho. Many happy years were spent taking care of cattle, training and breaking horses and living the ranch life. Bob always made time for his family, taking them hunting and fishing, supporting them in rodeoing or whatever endeavor they were pursuing. He was a very loving husband and father and instilled in all of his children the value of hard work and taking time to have fun.
While running a ranch and raising a family, Bob worked as a welder for the Bureau of Indian Affairs until his retirement in 1986. He was also an avid auctioneer and later worked as a custodian for Blackfoot School District. He was always a hard worker and did whatever was needed to provide for his family.
He was a family man through and through and tenderly cared for his wife in her later years as she battled with Alzheimer's. He was always loving and giving to those in his life.
Bob loved life, adventure and new challenges. He traveled to Europe, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii and many places throughout the United States with his wife. He continued to ride his prized horses right up to the end and run cattle with his son Wes – who lovingly cared for him when he fell ill. He later enjoyed golfing with his daughters in Bear Lake.
He was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held various church positions throughout his life. He had a strong testimony of the gospel and the blessings of tithing.
Bob is survived by his children Shawn (Audra) Hoskins, Weston Hoskins and Rebecca (Vaughn) Dettmann, 12 grandchildren, 8 great children and his sister Patti Preston. He is having a glorious reunion in heaven with his precious wife Kay, his parents, daughter, Liesel Hoskins, daughter-in-law, Tracy Hoskins, sisters, Connie Wright and Donna Higley and brother-in-law, Norman Higley as well as various rodeo buddies and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot. The family will meet with friends prior to the service, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow the service at Grove City Cemetery.