Robert Eugene David

Robert Eugene (Bob) David, passed away at Kootenai Medical Center on March 30, 2022 after a battle with COVID and complications which ensued. He was 79 years old.

Bob is survived by his wife Kathryn to whom he was married for 53 amazingly wonderful years. He is also survived by his son Darren who resides in Hawaii with his wife Jessica Redford. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard, and his mother, Marion. He has two sisters from whom he is estranged.

Bob was born at Madigan Hospital, Fort Lewis, WA on July 28, 1942. He grew up in Burbank, CA where he attended Saint Finbar Parish School and John Burroughs High School. After graduation, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department and the California National Guard. He graduated from OSC training at Fort Benning as a Second Lieutenant with a specialty in tanks. While serving with the LAPD in 1968, his National Guard Unit, the 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, was activated for the Vietnam War, and he returned to Fort Lewis five days after marrying the love of his life, Kathryn. They were apart until September of 1968 when she was able to move to Fort Lewis. Bob was promoted to Captain and appointed as the Chief of Staff, S3 for the 2^nd Squadron of the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. He served time in Germany during the Vietnam War providing supplies for the war. After being honorably discharged from the Army late 1969, Bob returned to the LAPD where he finished out his career. He was promoted to Sergeant in the Metropolitan Division where he served for 7 years, retiring in 1984. He was extremely proud of the fact that in 20 years of service, he never had to discharge his firearm in the line of duty. Following his retirement, he held positions as director of security at Lawry’s California Center in Glendale, CA, and director of security at Mattel.

Bob completed his education, earning B.A. and Master’s degrees in Public Administration from Pepperdine University.

He lived with his family in La Crescenta, CA for 31 years. In 1992 he visited North Idaho and fell in love. He bought property in Medimont and moved to the area permanently in 2000. He always said he never regretted the move and that these were the happiest days of his life. 

Few knew that Bob was an accomplished violinist, having started playing at the age of 4. He joined the Coeur d’Alene Symphony at the urging of a friend and played with the orchestra for several years. He was also the Conductor of the Panhandle symphony, and taught violin to students in the Silver Valley. 

Bob loved wine and was a connoisseur of vintage Port; touting his large collection, he regularly shared with others in an effort to educate them about this unique specialty. In 2018 the family traveled to Portugal where he was able to visit his favorite port houses. He was also a collector and assembled one the largest collections of Anheuser-Busch steins, acquiring all but five of the complete collection. He also collected artifacts and fossils.

He was an avid poker player, and realized his dream of qualifying for the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, NV in 2016, placing 168th out of 6,000 players on day one.

Anyone who knew Bob would comment on his quick, dry, sarcastic sense of humor and ability to make others smile. Many would remark that he had “made their day” due to a prankster comment or joke he had shared with them.

Bob was a fervent college football fan, especially of USC, and was disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to follow the upcoming season with the new coach. He also loved the L.A. Dodgers. 

We are so very thankful to the medical staff, Dr. Scoggins, Dr. Benson, Dr. Cao, and Dr. Hascall-Dove who cared for him over the years and during his hospitalization. He received outstanding care at Kootenai Health and we are very appreciative of their dedication and service under trying circumstances.

There will be no religious service, but a celebration of his life will be held at a date to be announced.