Robert Murray Wilkes

1940 - 2024

Robert Murray Wilkes passed away peacefully Thursday June 20, 2024, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Bob was born to Murray and Lucy Wilkes in Afton, Wyoming, on Thursday January 25, 1940. At the age of 6, he began to learn the values of hard work, loyalty, and dedication as he worked daily alongside his father. Bob attended Star Valley High School and enjoyed school, sports, and building lifelong friendships as he grew up. In 1960, he was called to serve in the Central States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Later, Bob was sealed to his eternal sweetheart, Estella, in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 6, 1963. Bob and Estella established their first home in Provo, Utah, where he received his Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University. After graduation, he taught seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Enterprise, Utah. He then taught institute at the University of Nevada at Reno. While in Reno, Bob completed a Master's Degree in Education Administration from BYU.

In 1970, Bob began his employment at Ricks College, in Rexburg, Idaho. During his career at Ricks College, he taught religion, horsemanship, and basketball. From 1999-2004 Bob served as the vice-president of Student Life and assisted in the transition of Ricks College to a four-year university as BYU-Idaho. During this time, he was awarded the BYU-Idaho Man of Excellence Award in 2004.

Bob was a dedicated and faithful servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He had a strong testimony of the Savior and considered it an honor to serve as a bishop, a counselor in a stake presidency, a stake president, a Regional Representative, and as President of the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission from 1995 to 1998 with his wife, Estella. In November of 2004, Bob was asked to return as the Interim President of BYU-Idaho. He was released from this position in August 2005. Then from 2005-2008 Bob and Estella served together as Temple President and Matron for the Billings Montana Temple. Upon their return to Idaho in 2008, Bob was called as a sealer in the Idaho Falls Temple where he served diligently for 15 years. His love for the temple, love of people, and love for Estella and his family culminated in the great joy Bob felt being in the temple.

He is survived by his beloved spouse Estella Woodruff Wilkes of Rigby, ID. His children Elizabeth (Kelly) Burgener of Rexburg, ID; Alison (Thayer) Rogers of San Antonio, TX; Robert (Suzanne) Murray Wilkes, Jr. of Farmington, UT; Amanda (Brian) Kingsford of Rexburg, ID; John (Amy) Woodruff Wilkes of Pocatello, ID; Scott (Shelly) Edmond Wilkes of Rexburg, ID; twenty-six grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters Carolyn Wilkes, Afton, WY; and Annette (Larry) Ferguson, Taylorsville, UT.

A viewing will be held Friday, June 28, 2024 from 6-8 p.m. at the LaBelle 3rd Ward Chapel located at 4223 East 528 North, Rigby, ID. A second viewing will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 9-10 a.m. in the John Taylor Building on the campus of BYU-Idaho located at 101 East Viking Street, Rexburg, ID. Funeral services will be held in the Taylor Chapel from 11-12 a.m. with internment following at the Rexburg Cemetery.

For full obituary see https://www.eckersellfuneralhome.com/obituary/robert-wilkes