Robert S. Gergen

Robert S. Gergen, age 88, Boise, ID, formerly of the Raymond, SD community, died on Friday afternoon, October 17, 2008 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Boise after an illness of six months.

A graveside service with full military honors was held on Wednesday, October 22, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise.  A memorial service is being planned for December when family returns from Iraq.

Robert Sylvestor Gergen was born on May 10, 1920 at Carlton, NB, the son of John S. and Shirley (Riddle) Gergen.  He moved with his family to the Raymond community where he attended a rural school, Ash consolidated, and graduated from Raymond High School in 1939.  He joined the United States Navy on March 17, 1940, making it his career for twenty years.

He was united in marriage to Vearl M. DesLauriers on May 20, 1944 in Tracy, CA.  To this union, one son, Robert Eugene, was born.  He later married Elizabeth Bickford and they became the parents of Alan Russell and Linda Kaye.

He spent most of his years in Billings, MT with the Navy, as he was stationed at the hospital there when he retired from the Navy.  He then attended college at Eastern Montana in Billings and continued working for Deaconess Hospital in Billings.  Following his retirement from the hospital in 1980, he moved to Doland  where he resided until moving to Utah in 1985.  He made his home in Boise since 2000.

Survivors include two sons, Robert E. (Bob) Gergen of Clark and Alan R. Gergen and wife, JuneAnn of Boise, ID; a daughter, Linda Loveless and husband Roger of Salt Lake City, UT; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jack Gergen and wife Nettie of Sartell, MN, a sister, Jeanne DesLauriers and husband Victor of Doland; two aunts, Ethel Riddle of Sioux Falls and Roma Carter of Sharon, PA and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents, two great-grandchildren, two sisters, Evelyn (Vincent) Hill and Bonnie Lou (Melvin)Dix, and his step-father, Russell A. Martin.

The Furness Funeral Home in Clark assisted the family locally with the Cloverdale Funeral Home in Boise handling services in Boise.

email condolences at www.furnessfuneralhome.com