Robert "Bob" Leigh McArthur

Robert “Bob” Leigh McArthur, 65, passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2014 at the Hospice House in Hayden, ID. He celebrated Easter with Jesus.Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Sandpoint Christian Center with Pastor Steve Bradshaw officiating. Inurnment will take place in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Robert was born January 12, 1949 to Leroy James McArthur and Wilma Mae McArthur (Allen). He attended Sandpoint schools until his sophomore year of high school when he and his mother moved to Moscow, Idaho. He participated in the track program running the anchor for the 440 relay team. He was also in ROTC. Bob graduated from Moscow High School in 1967.That same year Bob enlisted in the army in September. He did his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was sent to Fort Monmouth N.J. where he completed the microwave equipment repair course. There Bob met his wife Diana on a blind date. They married June 22, 1968. Bob was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona the Stratcom headquarters for six months. He was then sent to Seoul, Korea and was in the 304th Signal Battalion. Bob was honorably discharged from the army in April 1970. They moved to Sandpoint in May 1970. They had four boys.Bob touched the lives of many people over the years working first for the City of Sandpoint in the Public Works Dept., Lightning Lube and the Northside Fire District. The fire department was a big part of Bob’s life. Bob joined the Sandpoint Fire Department as a volunteer in August 1971. He joined Northside District in November 1972. Bob became a paid firefighter for Northside Fire District in August 2001. He was Assistant Chief and training officer. He retired January 1, 2014.Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Bob taught each one of his boys how to hunt and fish. He taught them how to serve by his example of fire service and by being active in his church.Bob and Diana traveled the Northwest visiting places like Mount St. Helen’s and Glacier National Park. They enjoyed camping, four wheeling, taking long day trips and visiting family and friends. They loved being active in their church and attending the Laclede Gospel Jam where they ministered in song.Bob loved to tease people and give them a “bad” time. Bob loved to serve the Lord by praying for anyone who needed prayer especially for healing. He didn’t care where he was, even if it was in the local stores. Bob was preceded in death by his infant son Robert Jr. and his parents. He is survived by his wife Diana, three sons, Partick (Kori) McArthur, Kevin (Justine) McArthur, Matthew (Alysha) McArthur, nine grandchildren, two sisters, a brother and numerous nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to cancer and heart research.