Robert Frederick Graefe III passed away peacefully in his chair on the evening of July 28, 2026, in Kooskia, Idaho.
Early Life & Education
Bob was born on June 4, 1946, to Meta and Robert Graefe. He was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, alongside his two brothers, Jim and Mike.
Growing up, Bob was active in both his community and athletics. He began playing football at a young age and continued through high school, once having the opportunity to play on Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
After high school, Bob attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he continued playing football. During those years, he formed many cherished friendships and created memories that remained important to him throughout his life.
A New Home in Idaho
In the late 1960s, Bob followed one of his college friends to Idaho and began working for Fish and Game. His work led him to conduct a beaver study in the Little Lost River Valley.
From that point forward, the Little Lost River Valley became home. Once again, Bob developed many lasting friendships and treasured memories.
Around 1970, Bob and his brother Mike purchased and operated the Sinks Inn Bar and Cafe.
Marriage & Family
During his years in the Little Lost River Valley, Bob met and married his beloved wife, Jacqueline.
Their marriage immediately blessed Bob with four daughters: Lori, Jane, Joan, and Kristi. Their family was completed with the birth of their daughter Mary in 1972.
Bob loved his family deeply and remained a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather throughout his life.
Career
Bob worked hard throughout his life and held a variety of positions.
He worked as a sod man with Merdith Sod Farms, worked in the mines near Challis, and took on many other jobs throughout the valley.
His final employer was the INEL, where he worked for 26 years before retiring.
Retirement & Later Years
Following retirement, Bob and Jackie moved to Kooskia, Idaho, where they shared many happy years together until Jackie’s passing in 2011.
Bob remained in Kooskia for the rest of his life, once again building many cherished friendships and memories.
His later years were filled with the things he loved most: fishing, planting trees and milkweed, tinkering, breaking and fixing things, traveling, visiting family and friends, and pursuing the elusive monarch butterfly.
Passions & Personality
Bob was an exceptional human being and a true outdoorsman.
He loved hunting, fishing, exploring the mountains, and searching for the largest trees in the forest. He possessed a deep appreciation for the natural world and found great happiness simply being outdoors.
Bob never met a stranger. His quick wit, broad knowledge, and genuine interest in others made him a friend to everyone he encountered. He carefully maintained those friendships throughout his lifetime, traveling and visiting whenever he could.
He was a tough man with a generous heart and was as fearless as they come. Bob lived fully, loved deeply, and embraced every adventure life offered.
He will be deeply missed.
Survived By
Bob is survived by his brother, Michael (Barb) Graefe; his daughters, Mary (Kevin) Ellis, Kristi Olson, Joan (Bill) Howard, Jane Jensen, and Lori (Richard) Frasure; 10 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in Death
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Meta and Robert Graefe; his wife, Jacqueline Graefe; and his brother, James Graefe.
A Living Tribute
In Bob’s honor, the family invites others to plant a tree:
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
Funeral Services
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Little Lost River Bible Church in Howe, Idaho.
The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the service.
Interment will follow at the Howe Cemetery.
