Robert L. Culbertson

Bob was born April 4, 1928, in Lincoln, Neb., to Lloyd and Louise Kenagy Culbertson. The family moved when Bob was 2 years old to Rupert, Idaho, where he graduated from Rupert High School in 1947. He was active in high school athletics, football and basketball. Bob made all-conference his senior year in football as a lineman. He was also active in Boy Scouts, where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. In later adult years, he was also awarded the Silver Beaver for his support of scouting.

Bob attended the University of Idaho, where he became a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He sang in the University of Idaho Vandaleers for four years and graduated in 1951 with a degree in social science. In summers while attending the UI, he managed the Rupert Swimming Pool, teaching swimming lessons and coaching the swim team. With an interest in social work, Bob attended the University of Utah and graduated with a master's in social work in 1953.

Drafted into the U.S. Army, he served as a psychiatric social worker in Georgia and in France. His first job after his military service was as a juvenile court counselor for Umatilla County in Pendleton, Ore. He moved to Lewiston in 1958, where he served as youth rehabilitation counselor for the 10 northern counties. He worked through the county probate courts. As one of the first social workers in the area, he had as many as 200 youth assigned at any given time. He said his aim was to develop services for children in each community in which he was serving. During this time, he helped establish the Idaho chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. He was chairman of the North Idaho branch and served as state chairman. In May of 1984, he changed from youth services to adult protection. He retired in July 1986 from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Bob taught night adult education classes for both UI and Lewis-Clark State College. These classes dealt with juvenile delinquency and social welfare. While living and working for the state of Idaho, he came to love his home in Lewiston. He enjoyed outdoor sports and volunteered at the Boys Club (now Boys and Girls Club) as a basketball coach. He was also involved in activities at Jenifer Junior High and Lewiston High School and had many ties to the children's home.

Also at this time, many young people became lifelong friends and he had many memories of taco feeds, backpacking trips, basketball trips, golf outings and other sports activities. The many organizations Bob belonged to include: the Lewis-Clark Council on Youth, the Lewis-Clark Inter-Agency Council, Interlink, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Coalition on At-Risk Youth, the Rotary Club of Lewiston, American Legion Baseball, University of Idaho Alumni Association - Lewiston Chapter, Twin County United Way, Nez Perce County Mental Health Association, Multiple Sclerosis Association of Nez Perce County, Idaho Corrections Association, the Boys and Girls Club of Lewiston (27 years), and the local council of Boy Scouts of America. Of many of these organizations, Bob was either chairman or vice chairman. Awards with which Bob was honored were: Young Man of the Year for the Lewiston Jaycees, Social Worker of the Year for the state of Idaho in 1982, John Shuler Award for Youth Services in 1986 and the Boys and Girls Club of Lewiston Lifetime Achievement Medallion in 1996. His concern for young people led him to any organization promoting service and activities for children and youth. Bob was active in the Methodist Church for many years.

Bob has requested any memorials be given to a youth organization of one's choice.

Bob's father died in 1971 at the age of 85 and his mother in 2002 at the age of 101. Bob took excellent care of his mother in her declining years. Bob is survived by cousins Kay Hoggatt in Bainbridge Island, Wash., and Barbara Vance in Bozeman, Mont., and their families.

Bob was an only child and never married. His family and friends would like to give special thanks to Guardian Angel Homes and its staff, who very ably handled the challenges that Bob went through with his dementia - especially nurses Elaine and Sharon and administrator Linda.

In following Bob's wishes, cremation has taken place with no services. Bob's ashes will be placed in the Kenagy-Culbertson family plot in Rupert. A celebration of Bob's life will take place at a later date.