Robert Bailey

Robert M. Bailey

Sept. 23, 1945-June 6, 2015

BOISE • Robert M. Bailey, 69, died on June 6, 2015 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
He was a former publisher of the Buhl Herald newspaper, longtime Vandal fan, great dad and loving husband.

He was born in Eldora Iowa on Sept. 23, 1945, to Joan (McIntire) and Robert E. Bailey. Their family soon moved to Buhl where Bob lived until he sold the paper in 2005 and moved to Boise to spend more time with his family.

Bob met his future bride, Judy Swager, when they were students at the University of Idaho. They married in 1968, the same year he graduated from U of I. Daughter Stephanie was born in Moscow and their daughter, Brooke, was born in Buhl after they moved from Spokane to work in the family owned weekly newspaper business. Bob was a longtime Rotarian, serving as president in 1980. He was a Paul Harris Fellow; he had well over 30 years of perfect attendance, and it was an important part of his life. He was a past-president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Idaho Newspaper Association, and life member of the Buhl Masonic Lodge. He thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Buhl community.

Bob was honored to be on the University of Idaho Alumni Board as well as a U of I Foundation member in the early '90s. A highlight was being able to speak at the 1993 U of I Commencement Ceremony when his youngest daughter was graduating. He enjoyed the annual Vandal Pig Out fundraisers - "Go Vandals!," many other community events, and spending time with friends and family, especially his four grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters, Stephanie (Bob) Bailey-White and Brooke (Jason) Patterson; grandchildren, Aaron, Addie, Bailey and Davis; and father. Robert E. Bailey, all of Boise; and siste, Barbara Cox of Graeagle, Calif.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 12, at the Buhl Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Buhl School Foundation, U of I Scholarship Fund, Rotary Foundation or a charity of your choice.