Robert Lee Stout

Robert Lee Stout Bob Stout passed away on Monday, February 19, 2018 in Sandpoint when he lost his battle with cancer. He had a meaningful sendoff as family and friends surrounded him in prayer. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sandpoint.  The Vigil Service will be said at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 26, 2018. Bob was born in Los Angeles, California to Clifford Lee Stout and Roberta (Lyston) Stout.  From an early age he developed a love for plant life as he worked with his Grandfather in his citrus groves and vegetable gardens.  That interest expanded to a love of science as he earned an Associate of Arts Degree from a local community college and then a Bachelor of Science degree in science and math from California Polytechnic College.  He accepted a fellowship for graduate work at the University of Idaho and he jumped at the chance to escape the city life and experience the “wilds” of Idaho.  When he finished with the Master’s Program he went to work for a scientific instrumentation company as a salesman in Portland, Oregon.  He became a microscope specialist for the company then moved into management at the age of 29 that came with a transfer to Colorado. In 1977 he had the opportunity to return to the Pacific Northwest when he formed a partnership company.  The company began business in Portland and Seattle as a dealer for a German microscope manufacturing company.  The company successfully evolved over the years to designing specialized microscope systems for research, clinical and industrial applications.  The company grew to include specialized sales personnel in those fields who sold systems in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.  Bob loved his career.  He enjoyed working with his innovative coworkers and interacting with brilliant scientists to design instruments to meet their scientific research needs. In 2007, Bob decided to retire so he traded in his suits and ties for ball caps and jeans.  His first project after retirement was to plan a move back to the Idaho he came to love years earlier while in graduate school in Moscow.  He succeeded in finding the perfect location in Sandpoint and made the move in 2009.  He loved Sandpoint and all the wonderful friends he made in the last nine years.  He often said moving to Sandpoint was one of the best decisions of his life. Bob met the love of his life and his lifetime partner in the most unusual way – at a traffic accident.  Barbara Hoffman witnessed a drunk driver crash into a car and she stopped to give aid.  The victim was Bob Stout and they soon learned that they had some mutual friends.  Bob was 18 and Barbara was 16.  They began dating soon after.  Their three year courtship survived his absence when he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  Upon returning from active duty, He married Barbara and resumed his education.  He found success and happiness in his 50- year marriage, his family, his education, his military service and his career. Bob will be remembered for his intelligence3, his quick wit, his generosity, his dependability and his moral conviction.  He was proud to be an American, a Veteran and a conservative.  He loved his Christian faith, his wife, his two children, his grandchild and his many friends.  He was passionate about fishing, flying gliders and small aircraft and spending time with old friends and meeting new ones.  He will be greatly missed by many. Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara, his son Brian, his daughter Holly and his grandson, Jeffrey.