Obituary of Robert Howell

Robert Alton Howell passed away in Star, Idaho at the age of 85 on August 13, 2013. Bob was born in Idaho Falls to Alton and Leora Howell on June 5, 1928. He graduated from Idaho Falls high school and worked as a hunting and fishing guide for his father at Henry's Lake, Idaho from the age of 16 until he enlisted in the U.S. navy during the Korean war. After his military service, he worked with family in Idaho Falls and Island Park and eventually settled back in Idaho Falls and retired from Argonne labs. His last residence was Kuna, Idaho. Bob loved the outdoors and was an accomplished elk hunter and fly fisherman. Vacations were always camping/fishing trips - Disneyland was never a consideration. He grew up hunting elk in the mountains and fly fishing all the best rivers and creeks of Idaho and western Montana. In the last few years, he spent most of his fishing time on the Owyhee River in eastern Oregon. He loved fishing from his drift boat and could read a river and cast a fly like no one else. As much as he loved to fish, he took more pleasure in rowing and giving casting tips to his fishing partners. His hand-tied flies are perfect creations and cherished by friends and family. When Bob took you elk hunting, you could bet it was a serious endeavor and more than likely you would be packing meat before the hunt was over. He was once referred to as "elk's worst enemy". If a season was open, he was either in full pursuit or planning his next trip. Bob married Ruth Tilley, his wife of 49 years, on December 31, 1955. They had 4 children: Beverly (Mike) Gray, Barbara (Tim) Gould, Alton (Sandy) Howell, Patricia (Grib) Murphy. He is Grandpa to: Travis Gould, Jason and Josh Gray, David and Casey Howell, Thomas and Danielle Murphy and Great Grandpa to Hailey and Colin Gould, Keegan Gray and Landon Gray. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; parents, Alton and Leora; sister, Mary Hollibaugh; brothers, Earl Howell and Bill Howell. He is survived by his sisters, Florence Bottjen, Alice Shurtliff, Carol Lee; and brother, Chuck Howell. A private service is planned for a later date.