Robert Lynn McMillan

Robert L McMillan passed away Saturday morning, February 27th, at St Luke’s Hospital in Meridian, Idaho. He was 94. Born in Murray Utah in 1927, he was the son of Verl F McMillan and Dora Watts McMillan. He is the last leaf on his immediate family tree, having outlived his wife, his parents, two brothers, and sister. He is survived by all of his children, Kristine (Gene) Kidman of Midvale UT, David (Karyn) of Ammon ID, Carol Walters of Meridian, Doreen (Paul) Skaggs of Fullerton CA, and Heidi Pelphrey, also of Meridian. His 19 grandchildren will greatly miss his questions, kidding, love, and earnest desire for their success. Many of his 55 great-grandchildren, scattered from California to Florida, have come to know and love him as well.

Like many of his generation and age, he enlisted in the Navy in 1944, shipping out to San Diego, before landing finally in Daytona Beach until 1946. When he got home, he rekindled a relationship with Maurine Heninger, whom he married in 1948. After graduating from the University of Utah in 1950, Bob and Maurine followed some of the Heningers to California, thinking perhaps to have an adventure before returning to Utah. But the adventure lasted nearly 50 years. All of their children were born and raised in Southern California.

At age 29, he was called to serve as the first Bishop of a new ward in Reseda CA, and ordained a high priest and a bishop by Elder Spencer W Kimball. After the fifth child came, the family had outgrown their home and moved to the Northridge area. Robert was called to the high council, where he served for many years. When the commute to work got unbearable, they moved again, this time to Fullerton CA. Here is where Robert served his next assignment as bishop of a YSA ward, while sending two children on missions and seeing each of his children married.

As retirees, they bought a home in Prescott AZ, where they made several more lifelong friends. They loved the mild climate and the stream of visits from family members. But to be closer to family, they moved to Boise’s Bristol Heights in 2001. Maurine passed away in 2007, prompting multiple changes in Robert’s life. As he aged, his family became more and more involved in his day-to-day care. He bought a home in Paramount in 2018, where he became a member of the Crosby Park Ward. He pressed on with characteristic humor, right up until the end, encouraging the St. Luke’s nurses to upgrade their mattresses for the comfort of old people.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, and his memory cherished forever.