Robert "Bob" Beckvold

1937 - 2014

Robert Charles Beckvold, 76, of Idaho Falls, died Saturday, April 12, 2014, with his daughters by his side.

Bob was born Sept. 15, 1937, in Moscow, Idaho, to Anna Dahl Beckvold and Gus Beckvold, the youngest of nine children. His father died before he was born, so he was raised by his mother. Whathe lacked in material comforts, his mom made up for with love and strength in character, teaching Bob early lessons about hard work and the importance of family, which stayed with him throughout his life.

Even though his childhood and high school years weren't easy, Bob had only fond memories of the fun he had and the friends he made growing up in Moscow. Some of his favorite stories were about misadventures he and his close friends had during this time.

Bob was a very good athlete, and at Moscow High School he excelled in sports, especially football. His early love of sports lasted his entire life, as a spectator and a participant. At the age of 40, he took up handball, which he played until the age of 71, when he suffered a stroke.

It was while attending Moscow High School that Bob began dating Mickey Wagner. After serving in the United States Navy for two years, Bob returned to Moscow, where he enrolled in the University of Idaho. Bob and Mickey married in June 1959 and began their loving partnership which lasted 44 years. When Mickey's health began to fail later in life, Bob was the most attentive and loving caregiver, doing everything possible to make her last years as happy as he could.

After graduating from the University of Idaho in 1964, Bob began his 33-year career with Basic American Foods. This career took him from Moses Lake, Wash., to Idaho Falls, where he transferred to distribution headquarters. Bob retired from Basic American Foods in 1997.

Bob and Mickey's first daughter, Mikelann, was born in 1963, with Toni following in 1966. Two more loving and devoted parents never existed. Growing up poor and without a father shaped Bob into a man determined to see his daughters have all the things he never had. Most importantly, he spent time with his family.

Bob loved holiday traditions, carving pumpkins at Halloween, coloring Easter eggs and showering his family with gifts at Christmas. He never missed a volleyball game, swim meet, Honor Society induction or parent-teacher conference. To his daughters, he was Superman. From their birth and throughout their lives, their dad was always the greatest man they ever knew.

Upon retiring, Bob and Mickey spent winters at their condo in Mesquite, Nev., and summers at the family cabin on Lake Pend Oreille. They had wonderful friends everywhere they lived. They also enjoyed traveling the United States to visit family and friends, as well as traveling to Mexico and Jamaica.

In 1998, Bob welcomed his only grandchild, Samuel Robert Hernandez. The world has not seen a more doting or devoted grandfather. He spent countless hours with Sam exploring on the four-wheeler, hunting for rocks to polish, growing vegetables in the greenhouse, working with wood and having adventures. Bob loved watching Sam play sports and was his biggest fan, never missing a game. Sam was pure joy to his grandpa.

After suffering a stroke in 2008, Bob's health began to decline; yet he stayed strong and independent. He loved to cook for his family and friends, spending time with them as well. He also enjoyed managing his investments and building furniture.

Bob was one of the toughest, smartest and kindest of men. He will be deeply missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, all eight of his siblings and his wife, Mickey.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Toni Beckvold and Jason Schweiger of Seattle; daughter and son-in-law, Mikelann and Patrick Hernandez of Idaho Falls; grandson, Sam Hernandez of Idaho Falls; and Amanda Miller of Billings, Mont., who brought much joy to his life the last few years as an adopted granddaughter. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and close friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls. An after-service gathering of friends and family will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 700 Lindsay Blvd. in Idaho Falls.