Robert Joseph Spooner, 94

Robert “Bob” Joseph Spooner passed away on July 26, 2020, at the age of 94. He was born Jan. 10, 1926 in Havre to Myrtle Shinners Spooner of Plentywood and Joseph Spooner of Joplin. He was the oldest of seven children.

When he was 5 years old, they moved from Montana to Washington to farm on the Spokane River by Davenport, Wash. They eventually moved to a farm in Benewah County, outside of St. Maries, Idaho. He graduated from St. Maries High School.

Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. Before basic training was over, he was sent to Europe and reached Aachen, Germany, where he joined Company B, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division under Capt. Pulver. He was in several campaigns in Germany and liberated a concentration camp. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 at the rank of corporal, along with many medals, including the Combat Infantry Badge and a Bronze Star.

After returning home to St. Maries, he learned to fly and got his pilot’s license. Bob met Jeannie Root and they were married in St. Maries in 1950. They had two children. Bob was a gypo logger until 1957 when a logging accident stopped him from returning to the woods.

They moved to Spokane, Wash., where he went to work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While with the Corps, they lived in Washington, Montana and South Dakota. The family moved to Libby in 1969 for the construction of Libby Dam.

Bob could fix about anything mechanical and was a good carpenter. He built the family home here in Libby and lived in it until his death. He was a member of St. Josephs parish, and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannie; his parents; brothers, Donald and Jim; and sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret.

He is survived by his daughter, Lana (Scott), and son Lance (Kelly); brother, Dewey Spooner; sister, Kay Sather; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Private family graveside services were held July 31, 2020, at the City of Libby Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.