Robert Harold "Bob" Hinkel

Bob Hinkel died as he lived, on his own terms. Bob died peacefully in his sleep, at home, with his beloved wife, Ardy, at his side.

Robert Harold Hinkel was born May 7, 1936, in Lovell, Wyoming, to Lillian and Harold Hinkel. He was the baby brother to five older sisters: Helen, Josephine, Phyllis, Barbara, and Elizabeth, who died in childhood. His sisters doted on him. Bob learned his life-long work ethic young, working as a shoe-shine boy and at a series of gas stations, among other jobs, which enabled him to buy a car before many of his peers, and enjoy an active social life. Despite that, he was a good student and played the tuba in his high school band. He graduated from Lovell High School a year early and married Sandra Tippetts in 1953.

After the birth of two daughters, Cindy and Dana, the young family moved to Pocatello, ID, where Bob attended business school. After working as an accountant for a lumber company in Jackson Hole and graduating from business college, Bob, along with his family, moved to Idaho Falls, where Bob worked for First Security Bank, first as a cashier, then a branch manager, and finally as a bank auditor. Bob and Sandra had three more daughters: Kris, Linda, and Michelle. As a family, they enjoyed skiing ("first on the mountain, last off") and yearly vacations fishing and exploring in the Big Horn Mountains. After 28 years of marriage, Bob and Sandra divorced in 1981.

Bob married his life partner, Ardith Gilbert, in 1992, and acquired another daughter, Hollie. Bob lived his life surrounded by women and proudly wore a t-shirt proclaiming, "You can't scare me. I have daughters." One wish he maintained to the end was to see a woman as President of the United States.

After working at First Security Bank for 38 years, he decided to retire early when he was 60 and convinced Ardith to retire as well so that they could enjoy traveling, especially in the Southwest, and spending time outdoors, camping and riding four-wheelers, sometimes on rather challenging trails. They enjoyed spending time with friends like Mary and Rob Kochan, Carol and Willy McKean, and Bob's brother-in-law, Terry Willford. They also enjoyed frequent visits from their daughters and sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and frequent family reunions in places like Moab, Hawaii, Mt. Rainier, and Yellowstone.

Until health problems later in life, Bob enjoyed dancing and cooking. In the family, he was known for counting cards, so you didn't want to bet money when you played with him. He was also known for colorful phrases, some not suitable for a family newspaper. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He was much loved. He will be remembered and he will be missed.

Bob's parents, sisters, and first wife preceded him in death.

Bob is survived by his wife, Ardith; his daughters, Cindy (Ted) Taylor, Dana (Pete) Van Haverbeke, Kris (John) Wehmann, Linda (Don) Spicer, Michelle (Bob Nielson) Hinkel, and Hollie (Joan Hanzlik) Gilbert; ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Private family services will be held.