Robert Rice “Bob” Eldred (March 13, 1940 – Aug. 4, 2026)

Robert Rice “Bob” Eldred, 86, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, near Sandpoint, Idaho. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 at Lakeview Funeral Home at 301 South Olive Ave. in Sandpoint.

Bob was born on March 13, 1940, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Bob and Mary Eldred. He grew up and attended school in Detroit before entering seminary to study for the priesthood. He later earned a master’s degree in liberal arts.

In 1977, Bob moved to Sandpoint. He married Kathleen Owens on February 6, 1982, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Together they owned and operated Emerald Bay Painting until Bob’s retirement in 2025.

Bob never met a stranger. He made friends easily, enjoyed visiting with people, and had a gift for bringing others together. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed golfing, hiking, biking, boating and relaxing in saunas. He also loved traveling the world, including climbing in the Tetons in Wyoming and trekking around Annapurna in Nepal with his nephew, Michael Eldred.

Bob is survived by his wife, Kathleen Eldred of Sandpoint; two stepchildren, Kimberly (Josh) Seitz of Coeur d’Alene and Forrest (Jessica) Brown of Kootenai; three grandchildren, Tony (Ashley), Avery and Brooke Brown; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Aaliyah Brown; and his brother, Roger (Elenore) Eldred of Detroit. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard Eldred.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Bob’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com to share a memory and sign his guest book.

Submitted by the family of Bob Eldred.