Robert Hart

Robert E. Hart, 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and his wife of 44 years, Cheryl Hart.

He was born June 6, 1943, in Lapwai, to Clair and Ruth Hart. Bob was the fifth of seven children. He is survived by his siblings Norma Dickey and Gerald Hart. He was preceded in death by his brothers Jack, Ronald and Richard, and his sister Madeline Patterson.

After attending Lapwai High School, Bob worked for Twin City Foods and Lewiston Fire Department before starting his long career with Potlatch Corp., in 1962 on the wood side. Several years later, he transitioned to the paperboard machine. He concluded his 40-year career as a skilled welder.

Bob was first married to Karen Rathbone in 1961, and together they had three children: Robin Smith, Julie Olive and Brad Hart. They later divorced in 1971. In 1981, he married Cheryl Conover Hart and welcomed her two children, Steve Goodnow and Mandy Packwood, into his life.

In his early years, Bob enjoyed camping and fishing on the North Fork and Selway River. He had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapshooting, snowmobiling and motorcycle trips with his friends. In retirement, he became an avid golfer, often playing alongside his brothers Jack and Gerald. He cherished time spent on his jet boat, traveling upriver with family, and he and Cheryl especially enjoyed camping and fishing trips to the coast with close friends. Bob also found joy in woodworking and smoking meat.

He adored his grandchildren and took great pride in supporting them at their sporting events and activities. Bob was a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers and Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball and loved his cowboy shows. To many, he was affectionately known as “Daddy Bob.”

Bob is survived by his wife, Cheryl Hart; her son, Steve Goodnow, of Lewiston; and her daughter, Mandy Packwood and husband Bill, of Clarkston. He is also survived by his children from his first marriage: Robin Smith, of Lewiston, Julie Olive and husband Doug, of Dixie, and Brad Hart and wife Sheila, of Lapwai. He had numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews that he adored.

There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 9, at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston. A celebration of life will follow the service at 12:30 p.m., at the Hells Canyon Boat Club, 2550 Riverside Drive, Clarkston.