Robert (Bob) E. Tank, age 84, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 6, 2017, in Boise, Idaho. Bob was born in Lead, South Dakota, on November 1, 1932. He was one of four sons born to Lawrence Tank and Dorothy Ramser. He and his three brothers were raised In Lewiston, Idaho, by his grandparents, William and Mildred Ramser.

When he was 18, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was sent to South Korea in 1951. When he arrived in Korea, it was 56 degrees below zero and his gear was extremely heavy. He spent the next two years fighting for freedom in South Korea. During that time, Bob earned the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three stars, United Nation's Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corp., Bob attended The University of Idaho and earned a bachelor's degree in Forestry. Bob was hired by The Bureau of Land Management in fire control and loved fighting forest fires during the summer. He was an avid outdoorsman and spent his free time hunting and fishing when he wasn’t on the fire line.

In 1963 Bob met and married Connie Rae Bills. They have three children, thirteen grandchildren, and one little great-grandson.

Bob served in several callings in the LDS church, but by far his favorite calling was as a nursery leader, where he was known as “Grandpa Bob.” He served several years in the nursery and did not want to leave the nursery when he was released. He truly loved working with the little children.

Bob also served for several years as a scout master for the Boy Scouts of America. He loved camping, being outdoors, and working with the boys on their merit badges.

In 1996, Bob was called on an LDS mission to serve in the LDS Welfare cannery located in Garden City, Idaho. He served several years at the cannery and loved every minute of It! Bob could tell you anything about the cannery process and how important the LDS Welfare canneries were, as well as what each one of the canneries produced. His prized possessions were the beautiful books he received each year at Christmas about the prophets of the LDS church.

Bob loved reading, word puzzles, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. His hero was John Wayne, and Bob owned every movie John Wayne ever made. Bob also loved trivia and would carry a small notebook with him to record information about places he visited and people he met.

Bob is survived by his wife Connie, children Tamara L (Tracy) Palmer, Fred A. Tank, Greg J. (Beverly) Tank, 13 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson and his brother, Don Tank. Bob absolutely loved his grandchildren and was so proud of all of them. He loved being a grandpa and proudly wore all of his “World’s Best Grandpa” shirts everywhere he went.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 9, from 6-8 pm at Relyea Funeral Home, 318 North Latah, Boise, Idaho. There will also be a graveside service held Thursday, August 10, at the Meridian Cemetery . Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.relyeafuneralchapel.com.
The family would like to thank Heart ‘N Home Hospice for the tender care that Bob received by all of the staff. Their care went above and beyond the call of duty and we are forever in their debt for the care of our husband, father, and grandfather.

Semper Fi, Bob! Til we meet again.

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