Robert (Bob) Medeiros Santos, 82 of Boise Idaho died at home
on Sunday, April 23
rd.
Bob was born December 10, 1934 in New Bedford Massachusetts
to Manual and Mary Medeiros Santos. Bob was an only child growing up in a traditional
Portuguese family where food was the center of all family events and his parents’
home was filled with those events and truck loads of food. At the early age of 10, Bob started his career
in the Boy Scouts and by the time he graduated from high school, he had achieved
Life Scout. Soon after graduation when
Bob was 19, he joined the Air Force. It was at the beginning of his Air Force
career where he met Margaret (Marge) Angelina Walker, his first true love. They
married on May 8
th
, 1954 at Scott AFB in Illinois. Out of this
marriage came four children; Robby, Chris, Tim and Rose (the twins). Bob and
Marge spent many years raising their children and enjoying military life. Bob’s
life in the Air Force brought the family to many places during his career as he
was a sought after Electronics Instructor. The family enjoyed living in Mississippi,
Florida, Wisconsin, Japan and Idaho.
During Bob’s military career, he served in the Vietnam War from
1967-1968 where he earned the Bronze Star for heroic service. Also, Bob earned an Air Force Commendation,
Unit Citation, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam
Occupation, and the Vietnamese Honor Medal. Bob was extremely proud to be a
member of the military and those that knew him understood his love of God and
Country. Bob retired from the Air Force in 1974 and then pursued a career
working for the Boise Interagency Fire Center and the Boise National
Forest. It was during this time in his
career when he was involved in building the very first lightening detection
system, again using his vast electronics experience to construct and install the
structures on many mountains in Idaho and the surrounding states. Bob and Marge
enjoyed 40 years of marriage until the passing of Marge in 1994.
Bob spent over 50 years devoted to the Boy Scouts of
America. In 1992, he received the Silver
Beaver Award which is the highest achievement awarded in Scouting for volunteer
work. In 1993, Bob received the St.
George Scouting Award which is given in recognition of outstanding service to
the spiritual development of the youth in the Boy Scouts of America Program. This same year, Bob, was honored with the Idaho
Statesman Distinguished Citizen award based on all the accomplishments as noted
above.
Bob met Carolyn while participating in the YMCA’s water
aerobics program in 2002. They married
in 2003. They enjoyed many trips
together, always cherishing a new adventure.
Bob found a second family with Carolyn’s daughter, April,
husband John and their four boys Andrew, Carter, Hayden, and Brady. Every summer they caravan to the Oregon Coast
for a week of family time, relaxation, and fun.
The Oregon Coast was a place near and dear to Bob’s heart as it reminded
him of New England.
Bob is survived by his wife Carolyn, his son Tim (Neva) of
Eagle, daughter Rose (Rick) of Mountain Home, daughter-in-law Diane (Chris) of
Boise. Grandchildren Steven, Michael (Stephanie), Michelle, Matthew, Stephanie (Jake), RJ (Andrea),
Cory, Angelina (Matt), Mireya, Brad (Veronica), Stacie (Josh) and Great Grandchildren
Trey, Adrian, Jace and Lauren Axtell and baby-to-be Schofield. Bob was preceded
in death by his parents Manual and Mary, many Aunts, Uncles, and his beloved wife
Marge and their two sons Robby and Chris.
We would like to thank Bob’s doctors, nurses, and caregivers
who have been so kind and diligent.
Also, we thank the Wednesday Morning Men’s Group and Cole Community
Church Thursday Morning Men’s Bible Study, for their continued encouragement,
support, and love.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May
1, 2017 at Cole Community Church,
8775 W Ustick Rd,
Boise, ID 83704. A private graveside service will be held at Dry Creek
Cemetery.