Robert "Bob" Hoke

Robert Duane Hoke was born in Boise, Idaho on November 16, 1931, to Wilbur Hoke and Winifred Dent Hoke. He was the youngest of six children: brothers, Neil, Eugene, Kenneth, Roy, and sister, Katheryn. He grew up during the depression era and learned the value of family, hard work, and a sense of humor.

Robert’s family life was a blessed one. Shortly after his stint in the Korean War he married his first wife, Helen, on June 21, 1953. After becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he and Helen were married at the Idaho Falls Temple. Robert and Helen began a family with the birth of three daughters: Cynthia, Lisa, and Roxanne.

After the loss of his first wife, Robert was blessed when he met and married Marilyn Swainston on April 16, 1993, in the Boise Temple. With this marriage he gained three more daughters: Lisa, Emily, and Jana.

Robert’s life was full of adventure.  His adventures took him to California to the sawmills, CCEC, and Ford Motor Company.  After several years, life sent him to Idaho.  He lived in Twin Falls where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, the Times News, and Safeway. He later moved to Filer where he lived for twenty-five years. During his time in Filer, he worked at the Filer Postal Service, Filer School District, and the Twin Falls Postal Service. 

Robert always had a love for the outdoors, whether it be fishing, hunting, camping, or just going for a drive to the South Hills. Robert was a skilled craftsman and loved to build items. He was an avid gardener and liked to make homemade candies and jams. Robert had a love for animals, especially dogs and horses. After buying the farm in Filer, he even grew to love pigs after a losing battle with his daughters.

Robert was a people person. He never met someone that did not immediately become his friend.  He had a giving soul and would help those in need without thinking twice. He was always ready with a joke or a story to tell. What stories he could tell. He had the ability to get along with people of all ages from zero to 100. He loved working with the youth either through 4-H, substitute teaching, or his church. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, infectious spirit, his religious convictions, and his sense of humor.

Robert was preceded in death by both his parents; all his siblings; first wife, Helen; two daughters, Lisa and Jana; and a granddaughter, Taylor.

Robert is survived by wife, Marilyn; daughters, Cynthia (Greg), Roxanne (Michael), Lisa (Mark), and Emily (Kin); 9 grandchildren and their spouses; and 12 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1001 Fair Street, Buhl.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Bob’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.