Bob Blanchard

Dresden Robert “Bob” Blanchard, 85, passed away on June 14, 2024.

Bob was born to Dresden and Phyllis Blanchard on April 17, 1939, in Logan, Utah, and passed away on June 14, 2024. He was the first of three children, including Nancy and Ann.

Bob lived in Pocatello until he was 9 years old and then moved to American Falls while his dad managed the Airport. He graduated from American Falls High School in 1957. He attended Ricks College and then worked for Bolling Engineering for several years, working in design and construction. He then moved on to the Idaho Transportation Department, District 6, working in design and construction and later as Data Processing Manager, which he did until he retired in 2000.

Bob married Peggy Lake and together they had 4 children, Kimberly, Melanie, Rachelle, and Travis. When that marriage ended, he married Sharon Richie. Later he met and married Mary Jones, the love of his life, on February 26, 1987. They were sealed together in the Idaho Falls Temple on match 25, 1996. They shared many rich experiences during their 37 years together.

Bob accomplished much in his life. In 1993, he became certified as an instructor for the National Motorcycle Association, and in 1985 started his own motorcycle safety school. He was asked to work with legislation and helped pass motorcycle safety laws. He was later hired by the State of Idaho Motorcycle Star Program as an Assistant to the Director. He was in charge of negotiating motorcycles from dealers and setting up sites for safety courses throughout the state. From there he moved on to give the driving tests to obtain drivers licenses. 

Bob and Mary served as Temple Ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls Temple for seven years.

Bob’s interests and hobbies include hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding, camping, site-seeing, summers in Island Park, 4-wheeling, and fixing anything that needed fixing. He will be remembered for his humor, big heart, and wisdom.

Bob valued family and is survived by his wife, Mary Blanchard; sisters, Ann (Dave) Adams, Nancy (Bill) Feidler; son, Travis (Nema) Blanchard; daughters, Kim (Kelly) Ray, Melanie (Bruce) Foster, and Rachelle (Chad) Jolley; step children, Jeff Jones, Becky (Darrell) Fackrell, Hal Jones, Michael (Bernadine) Jones; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who felt his deepest love.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 11:30 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 450 James Avenue, Chubbuck, ID 83202.  A viewing will be one hour prior to services at the church beginning at 10:30 am.  Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 2864 S 5th Avenue, Pocatello, ID.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the guestbook below.