Robert Earl Tulloch

Robert “Bob” Earl Tulloch passed away peacefully and surrounded by family in Boise, Idaho on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the age of 77.  Bob was born on January 31, 1946 in San Francisco, California and shortly thereafter moved with his mother, Lottie Brown, to Carey, Idaho. In 1947, Lottie met and married Donald Tulloch, who legally adopted and became a father to Bob in August 1951. Donald and Lottie had three daughters, completing their family of six.
 
Bob spent the start of his childhood in Carey, Idaho but his family moved to Eagle, Idaho around age 12. Working on farms, graduating from Meridian High School in 1964, and achieving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boise State College were just preambles to some of the most meaningful experiences in his life. From 1969 to 1981, Bob served his country both at home and overseas with the United States Marine Corp. He then joined the Idaho Army National Guard, which he served from 1982 to his retirement with the rank of Captain in 1994.  
 
In 1969, just as he started his military career, Bob was out with friends when he met who he would later call the “Apple of his Eye” for the first time. Sherry Matteson Walker, along with her 3-year-old daughter, Lisa, captured Bob’s heart and after a short courtship, Bob and Sherry were married in the summer of 1970. Following in his own father’s footsteps, Bob legally adopted Lisa in the summer of 1976 and just a few short months later, Bob and Sherry had their son, Don, completing their family of four. Bob and Sherry shared 53 wonderful years of marriage together. Those years were filled with dedication, humor, an abundance of swear words (mostly on Bob’s part), and more love than most couples could experience in their lifetimes.  
 
After retiring, Bob was eager to spend time with family, friends and, of course, his wonderful dogs. Throughout the years and with many dogs during his lifetime, Bob looked forward to starting his days the same way – a cup of coffee from Sherry, and then a long, long walk –five miles or more per day – with his furry best friends.  During those long daily walks, he would routinely take breaks along his routes to visit with whoever he encountered – to discuss history, or the deer he saw or just visiting and getting to know a stranger. He gave himself fully to the dogs during their lifetimes, brushing, training, and throwing the bumpers in the Park Center Pond with each of them. Our family finds comfort in knowing that all of his dogs that were so very special to him met him at the gates of Heaven – we can picture the smile on his face being reunited with his favorite furry companions again. Leading a life with a theme of unselfishness and authenticity, Bob used his charismatic charm on anyone he met. From his daily walks with dogs to the restricted area of Pearl Harbor (and a million other moments), he had a magical ability to connect with others and therefore put himself in a position to experience some of the most unforgettable moments in life.
 
Bob did not only give himself fully to the dogs, but to his entire family – increasing his enthusiasm and devotion with each new member that was added throughout the years. He made a resolute point to ensure that he was always listening to and spending dedicated and quality individual-specific time with whoever he was with, but especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Over the last decade he poured countless hours into Ancestry and the creation of genealogy posters or similar gifts for each family member that included information on at least seven generations back. He valued and recognized the legacy that our ancestors had left us, just as our family now looks in astonishment and gratitude of the legacy of love and altruism that Bob has left for us to pass along to our future generations.
 
Bob will be missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, and leaves a lifetime of happy memories.
 
Bob is survived by his wife, Sherry Tulloch, his children, Lisa Tulloch (Barry Sieber) and Don (Jessica) Tulloch, his grandchildren, Brandy Evans, Monique Sieber, Connor Tulloch, and Cameron Tulloch, his great-grandchildren Brayden Tulloch and Katie Sieber, his sisters, Rita (Bob) Kennedy, Norma Tulloch, and Della Toth. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Lottie Tulloch.
 
A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 11:30 am at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel at 5400 Fairview Ave in Boise, Idaho. Following the service a processional will lead to the burial ceremony, with full military honors, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 pm.

To honor Bob’s love and dedication to dogs and as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Idaho Humane Society.