Robert E. Wilson

Robert (Bob) Edward Wilson, 59, of the Plano - Egin Bench area in Idaho died suddenly at his home on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008.

Robert was born June 15, 1948 in Elko, Nev. the eldest son of Ernest Edward Wilson Sr. and Evelyn Juanita Gifford Wilson. During Bob's childhood he lived and attended school in numerous places including Bruneau, Idaho, Brownlee (a 1-room schoolhouse), Ore., Owyhee, Nev., Lakeview, Ore., and graduated from highschool in Elko, Nev.

Robert was a member of the U.S. Navy Seabees from l967 to 1970 and was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserves in l973 after receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Following his discharge, Bob attended the University of Nevada Reno where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture economics and later returned to earn a Master of Science in agronomy and plant science.

Bob and Ida Marie Reichlin were married on June 7, 1975 in Squaw Valley, Calif. They began their married live living in Troy for 20 years. The family moved to Idaho when he accepted two-year research scientist position with Intermountain Canola in Idaho Falls and for the past 14 years the family has lived in the Plano-Egin Bench area of Idaho near St. Anthony, Idaho.

Robert worked as an agronomist throughout his life and most recently worked as an associate professor for the University of Nevada. His duties for the University Extension Service was based in Ely, Nev. Bob's study of agriculture extended to many places around the U.S. and the world, such as Switzerland, Central Europe and Turkmenistan. Currently he was serving as president of the Nevada Chapter of the Society of Range Managers.

Bob is survived by his wife of 32 years, Ida of St. Anthony, Idaho; sons: Brandon Wilson and his fiance Shanee of Los Angeles, Calif. and Eric Wilson of St. Anthony, Idaho; his mother Evelyn Maybon of Mountain Home, Idaho; mother-in-law Marie Reichlin of Floriston, Calif.; siblings: Leroy Wilson of North Pole, Alaska, Lynn Larsen and her husband Monte of Mountain Home, Idaho, Patricia Elliott of Kuna, Idaho, Ed Wilson and his wife Sandi of Nampa, Idaho, Judy Gossett and her husband Wayne of Mountain Home, Idaho, Sue Newman and her husband Randy of Las Vegas, Nev., and Frances Kief and her husband Brandon of Phoenix, Ariz.; brother-in-law Joseph Reichlin of Reno, Nev. and sister-in-law Maryanne Reichlin of Floriston, Calif.; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Bob was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Ernest Edward and Patricia Wilson and his father-in-law Joseph Reichlin.

A service including full military rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008 in the Bruneau, Idaho American Legion Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the Eric Wilson Special Needs Trust at the Bank of Commerce in Rexburg, Idaho.

Bob felt that he had barely begun to contribute to the field of agriculture and rangeland management. He was a source of infinite strength and wisdom for his family, friends, and all with whom he came in contact.

Bob will be sorely missed by us all.