Welcome to the memorial page for
Robert Donald Bolinder
April 25, 1931 ~ February 23, 2017 (age 85) 85 Years OldShare Tribute:
Robert Donald Bolinder, 85, of Boise, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2017 at home surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and his loving family.
Bob was born April 25, 1931 in Sacramento, California. From humble beginnings as the son of a train engineer during the Great Depression, Bob learned early the value of perseverance and hard work. He worked as a printer’s apprentice during high school with the goal of being a printer by trade. After graduating from Grant Union High School in Sacramento in 1949, Bob continued his apprenticeship and attended college courses in the evening. When the Korean War started, this patriot quickly enlisted in the Air Force. Bob was eventually assigned to the European Command of the Air Force and stationed at a small Air Force base in Freising, Germany, serving as a cryptographic technician.
While stationed in Germany, Bob met the love of his life, Trudi Sophie Beer. Trudi and Bob were married in Freising, Germany on June 16, 1954. Bob returned to the U.S. with Trudi and they were sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple for time and all eternity. With a kick start from the G.I. Bill, and while starting his young family, Bob earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Brigham Young University. Bob, Trudi and their first two children, Kurt and Sonja, moved to Modesto, California where Bob went to work as an accountant for Deloitte Touche. Bob received a leave of absence just a few months later to pursue a master’s degree at the University of California Berkeley. After earning his MBA and becoming a Certified Public Accountant, Bob returned to Deloitte Touche in San Francisco. A few months after the birth of Bob’s third child, Heidi, the family moved to Walnut Creek, California where the next two children, Kari and Tina, were born.
In 1965, Bob and Trudi moved the family to Boise where Bob went to work for Albertson’s Inc. first as Controller, then Vice President of Finance and then Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration. While working for Albertsons, Bob completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University in 1967. Bob continued to serve in several leadership positions for Albertsons during a period of its most significant organic growth, becoming President in 1972. Bob and Trudi’s family also continued to grow during this time, adding three more children – Erik, Remi and Clint. Bob became Vice Chairman and CEO of Albertsons in 1974 and then Chief Financial Officer until he retired in 1984.
Upon his retirement from Albertsons, Bob started a grocery industry consulting firm with his son-in-law, Bob Walker. He served on a number of corporate boards including Idaho Power, Smith’s Food & Drug, HE Butt Grocery Company (HEB), Hannaford Brothers and Sportsman’s Warehouse. Regarded as a leader in the grocery industry during his career, Bob served on the board of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and as President of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC).
In 1988, Bob joined Smith’s Food and Drug Centers as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and helped shepherd a corporate expansion culminating in a public stock offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Bob retired from Smith’s in 1996.
Bob was always civic-minded and did all he could to help improve the city he came to love. He served as president of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, as president of the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho, as a board member of the Boise Redevelopment Agency, as a director and president of Junior Achievement, as a director and president of the United Way of Ada County, as president of the Boise Chapter of the National Association of Accountants, as a director of the Bogus Basin Ski Association, as a director of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry and as a member of the Advisory Council and Alumni Board of Brigham Young University.
But more important to Bob than his professional success, was his service in his church. As a lifelong, dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, over the years Bob fulfilled several volunteer leadership positions for the Church, including serving twice as Ward Bishop. He also served in the Boise LDS Temple as Ordinance Worker. His service in the LDS church was marked by absolute commitment, unconditional love and compassion as he embraced the example of Jesus Christ.
After Bob tragically lost his beloved wife, Trudi, in an airplane accident in January, 1997, he had the good fortune of finding love once again and married Sharon Kay Haight of Boise on September 5, 1998. In 2000-2002, Bob and Sharon were called to serve as Area Welfare Agents for the LDS Church Europe West Area, based in England. Bob and Sharon traveled to several countries organizing and leading church welfare programs and humanitarian projects, giving full-time service and resources in an effort to aid those in need. After his mission service, Bob was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter as a Commissioner on the Idaho Human Rights Commission where he served until 2012.
Bob never met a stranger. He treated everyone he met -- no matter where and in no matter what circumstance -- as a friend. Those who knew him cherished his wit, wisdom, kindness, class, optimism and genuine interest in others. He lived by the axiom, “There is no limit to what a man can do or where a man can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” Whether in business, in the community or in church, Bob didn’t worry about the spotlight. Though he received plenty of public recognition over the years, he always preferred to quietly lead by example, roll up his sleeves, lift others, mentor, inspire and serve.
The devoted father of 8 children and 3 stepchildren, 44 grandchildren and great grandfather of 15 great grandchildren, family was Bob’s passion. He cherished the time he spent with family members teaching life lessons in an always-bustling home, spending time with his children and later his many grandchildren, running the rapids of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, skiing the Idaho and Utah slopes, hiking the Sawtooth Mountains, serving as “captain” of the ski boat, and attending BSU and BYU football games where he was a loyal fan and season ticket holder.
Bob was an avid runner throughout most of his adult life, perhaps enjoying those daily moments of solitude from an otherwise busy and often chaotic family, church, business and community life. Bob ran and completed the Deseret News Marathon in Salt Lake City, Utah three times. He especially enjoyed running while on his travels around the world, from San Francisco to New York, London to Paris, Glasgow to Edinburgh, Madrid to Munich, Tokyo to Auckland.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Trudi Sophie Bolinder; his brother, Richard Gale Bolinder; and a grandson, Robert Anthony Bolinder. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Sharon Kay Bolinder; his sister, Suzanna Lois Morgan; his children: Kurt Bolinder and his wife, Cindy, of Boise; Sonja Walker and her husband, Robert, of Overland Park, Kansas; Heidi Glaisyer and her husband, Robert, of Boise; Kari Geddes and her husband, Michael, of Cedar Hills, Utah; Tina Richards and her husband, Timothy, of Boise; Erik Bolinder and his wife, Holly, of Boise; Remi Candland and her husband, John, of Ashburn, Virginia; Clint Bolinder and his wife, Codi, of Boise; his step-children: Michael Haight and his wife, Rebecca, of Belmont, Massachusetts; Lisa Haight-Stott and her husband, Shiloh, of Portland, Oregon; Matthew Haight and his wife, Alisha, of Boise; and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3229 Bogus Basin Road. The family will greet friends on Monday evening, February 27, 2017 from 5-7 pm and Tuesday morning from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Burial will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation in memory of Bob to the Boise office of the International Rescue Committee (7188 W. Potomac Dr., Boise, ID 83704 (208) 344-1792) https://help.rescue.org/donate or the Idaho Food Bank (3562 S. TK Ave., Boise, ID 83705 (208) 336-9643) https://idahofoodbank.org/give/money/donation-options.
Bob was born April 25, 1931 in Sacramento, California. From humble beginnings as the son of a train engineer during the Great Depression, Bob learned early the value of perseverance and hard work. He worked as a printer’s apprentice during high school with the goal of being a printer by trade. After graduating from Grant Union High School in Sacramento in 1949, Bob continued his apprenticeship and attended college courses in the evening. When the Korean War started, this patriot quickly enlisted in the Air Force. Bob was eventually assigned to the European Command of the Air Force and stationed at a small Air Force base in Freising, Germany, serving as a cryptographic technician.
While stationed in Germany, Bob met the love of his life, Trudi Sophie Beer. Trudi and Bob were married in Freising, Germany on June 16, 1954. Bob returned to the U.S. with Trudi and they were sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple for time and all eternity. With a kick start from the G.I. Bill, and while starting his young family, Bob earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Brigham Young University. Bob, Trudi and their first two children, Kurt and Sonja, moved to Modesto, California where Bob went to work as an accountant for Deloitte Touche. Bob received a leave of absence just a few months later to pursue a master’s degree at the University of California Berkeley. After earning his MBA and becoming a Certified Public Accountant, Bob returned to Deloitte Touche in San Francisco. A few months after the birth of Bob’s third child, Heidi, the family moved to Walnut Creek, California where the next two children, Kari and Tina, were born.
In 1965, Bob and Trudi moved the family to Boise where Bob went to work for Albertson’s Inc. first as Controller, then Vice President of Finance and then Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration. While working for Albertsons, Bob completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University in 1967. Bob continued to serve in several leadership positions for Albertsons during a period of its most significant organic growth, becoming President in 1972. Bob and Trudi’s family also continued to grow during this time, adding three more children – Erik, Remi and Clint. Bob became Vice Chairman and CEO of Albertsons in 1974 and then Chief Financial Officer until he retired in 1984.
Upon his retirement from Albertsons, Bob started a grocery industry consulting firm with his son-in-law, Bob Walker. He served on a number of corporate boards including Idaho Power, Smith’s Food & Drug, HE Butt Grocery Company (HEB), Hannaford Brothers and Sportsman’s Warehouse. Regarded as a leader in the grocery industry during his career, Bob served on the board of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and as President of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC).
In 1988, Bob joined Smith’s Food and Drug Centers as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and helped shepherd a corporate expansion culminating in a public stock offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Bob retired from Smith’s in 1996.
Bob was always civic-minded and did all he could to help improve the city he came to love. He served as president of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, as president of the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho, as a board member of the Boise Redevelopment Agency, as a director and president of Junior Achievement, as a director and president of the United Way of Ada County, as president of the Boise Chapter of the National Association of Accountants, as a director of the Bogus Basin Ski Association, as a director of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry and as a member of the Advisory Council and Alumni Board of Brigham Young University.
But more important to Bob than his professional success, was his service in his church. As a lifelong, dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, over the years Bob fulfilled several volunteer leadership positions for the Church, including serving twice as Ward Bishop. He also served in the Boise LDS Temple as Ordinance Worker. His service in the LDS church was marked by absolute commitment, unconditional love and compassion as he embraced the example of Jesus Christ.
After Bob tragically lost his beloved wife, Trudi, in an airplane accident in January, 1997, he had the good fortune of finding love once again and married Sharon Kay Haight of Boise on September 5, 1998. In 2000-2002, Bob and Sharon were called to serve as Area Welfare Agents for the LDS Church Europe West Area, based in England. Bob and Sharon traveled to several countries organizing and leading church welfare programs and humanitarian projects, giving full-time service and resources in an effort to aid those in need. After his mission service, Bob was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter as a Commissioner on the Idaho Human Rights Commission where he served until 2012.
Bob never met a stranger. He treated everyone he met -- no matter where and in no matter what circumstance -- as a friend. Those who knew him cherished his wit, wisdom, kindness, class, optimism and genuine interest in others. He lived by the axiom, “There is no limit to what a man can do or where a man can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” Whether in business, in the community or in church, Bob didn’t worry about the spotlight. Though he received plenty of public recognition over the years, he always preferred to quietly lead by example, roll up his sleeves, lift others, mentor, inspire and serve.
The devoted father of 8 children and 3 stepchildren, 44 grandchildren and great grandfather of 15 great grandchildren, family was Bob’s passion. He cherished the time he spent with family members teaching life lessons in an always-bustling home, spending time with his children and later his many grandchildren, running the rapids of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, skiing the Idaho and Utah slopes, hiking the Sawtooth Mountains, serving as “captain” of the ski boat, and attending BSU and BYU football games where he was a loyal fan and season ticket holder.
Bob was an avid runner throughout most of his adult life, perhaps enjoying those daily moments of solitude from an otherwise busy and often chaotic family, church, business and community life. Bob ran and completed the Deseret News Marathon in Salt Lake City, Utah three times. He especially enjoyed running while on his travels around the world, from San Francisco to New York, London to Paris, Glasgow to Edinburgh, Madrid to Munich, Tokyo to Auckland.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Trudi Sophie Bolinder; his brother, Richard Gale Bolinder; and a grandson, Robert Anthony Bolinder. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Sharon Kay Bolinder; his sister, Suzanna Lois Morgan; his children: Kurt Bolinder and his wife, Cindy, of Boise; Sonja Walker and her husband, Robert, of Overland Park, Kansas; Heidi Glaisyer and her husband, Robert, of Boise; Kari Geddes and her husband, Michael, of Cedar Hills, Utah; Tina Richards and her husband, Timothy, of Boise; Erik Bolinder and his wife, Holly, of Boise; Remi Candland and her husband, John, of Ashburn, Virginia; Clint Bolinder and his wife, Codi, of Boise; his step-children: Michael Haight and his wife, Rebecca, of Belmont, Massachusetts; Lisa Haight-Stott and her husband, Shiloh, of Portland, Oregon; Matthew Haight and his wife, Alisha, of Boise; and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3229 Bogus Basin Road. The family will greet friends on Monday evening, February 27, 2017 from 5-7 pm and Tuesday morning from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Burial will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation in memory of Bob to the Boise office of the International Rescue Committee (7188 W. Potomac Dr., Boise, ID 83704 (208) 344-1792) https://help.rescue.org/donate or the Idaho Food Bank (3562 S. TK Ave., Boise, ID 83705 (208) 336-9643) https://idahofoodbank.org/give/money/donation-options.
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