Robert Dean “Bob” Choat passed away December 7, 2018. He was born April 21, 1931 in Boone County, Nebraska, the only child of Walter and Esther Choat. Bob attended grade schools in Nebraska and Idaho.
The family moved to Salt Lake City during WWII where he graduated from South High. Soon after they moved to Nampa. Bob joined the Air National Guard and his unit was activated during the Korean War.
He stayed stateside and trained and worked as a propeller mechanic on P51 Mustang planes. After leaving the Air Force, he returned to Nampa and worked at Edmark Chevrolet in the auto body and paint department. He met Dolores “Gussie” Turpen, the love of his life, in 1953 at the Nampa Rollerdome roller rink and they were married April 17, 1954.
They then moved into their home on Diamond Street where they raised their children, Kathy and Mike Bob worked as a Cornwell tool salesman for 37 years with Gussie as his book keeper. He made many friends at the various shops and farms throughout the Treasure Valley. After retirement, Bob volunteered as a Mercy Express van driver for over 20 years.
He loved the time spent with all his passengers and co-drivers. Bob and Gussie were avid square and round dancers and developed many deep friendships. He loved the Idaho mountains, camping in the early years and later at the family cabin in Cascade.
He and Gussie enjoyed traveling with friends and family – especially time spent at the Oregon Coast. Bob loved to ‘go fast’ – go carts, Honda 90’s, snowmobiles and ATVs Bob and Gussie were members of the Mountain West Thunderbird Club and cherished his all original 1970 T-Bird. They went to many rallies and car shows.
They were also life-long members of the First United Presbyterian Church in Nampa where he served as a Deacon and helped with many church activities. Bob was a people person. He loved his many, many friends.
He never knew a stranger. He would always find something in common to share with everyone he met. He loved to make people laugh and smile – he always had a good story to tell.
Bob was a devoted and loving husband to Gussie for over 64 years. He was a wonderful father to Kathy and Mike and a fun grandfather to Kelly, Tyler, Marcie and Tom. He loved spending time with his great grandchildren, Camden, Grayson, Olivia, and Colton.
He is survived by his wife Gussie, children Kathy (Greg) Hite and Mike (Susan) Choat, grandchildren Kelly (Nick) Fletcher, Tyler (Lindsay) Beach, Marcie (Chris) Manion and Tom Ivatts, and great grandchildren Olivia and Colton Manion, Greyson Ivatts and Camden Fletcher. Thank you to the staff at Streamside Alzheimer’s Unit and the Journeys Hospice team. Also, thanks to Heather and Loraine at Home Helpers for the loving care they gave Bob and the support they gave the family.
Donations may be made to Global Vision Citadelle Ministries (GVCM.org) for the orphanage in Haiti and/or the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). A public viewing will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018 from 10 to 11 AM at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel.
A private family graveside will follow in the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell. A memorial service to honor and celebrate his life will follow at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018 at the Nampa First United Presbyterian Church.
An online guest book is available at www.
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