Robert Wynne Luscombe

Robert “Bob” W. Luscombe, the youngest of five siblings, was born in his family home in Boise, Idaho, on July 16, 1935, to Ethel F. (Nash) and Wynne W. Luscombe.

Bob often reminisced about his childhood in the country, playing baseball in the cow pasture with siblings and friends whose hands were so calloused from farm chores that they played barehanded, with only the catcher wearing a mitt. He fondly remembered swimming in the irrigation canals and eating fruit from neighbors’ trees. When asked why he never asked for permission to eat the fruit, he would smile and reply, “Because the fruit tasted better when we snitched it.”

On May 17, 1957, Bob married the love of his life, Mary Ann Fate. On May 26, he enlisted in the United States Navy. The newlyweds enjoyed their first adventure together in San Diego while Bob completed training before being deployed to Japan. When he returned to Boise, he met his firstborn daughter, Laura, one month after her first birthday.

In 1960, Bob and Mary purchased the only home they would ever own. They lived there for 65 years together, and Mary still resides there to this day.

Bob worked for the U.S. Geological Survey, collecting countless stories from his time in the Idaho wilderness. He crossed snowy mountains, first using WWII-era snowshoes and later by snowmobile. When he was not adventuring in the mountains, he worked in his beautifully maintained lawn, his vibrant flower beds, and his abundant vegetable garden. It was in this garden that he shared his love of gardening and harvesting with all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. All of the grandchildren loved the tradition of helping Granddad harvest his vegetables, and they especially loved helping him pick raspberries.

Bob’s happiest moments were spent with his family and lifelong friends, Don and Jody Mummert. He loved camping, huckleberry picking, canoeing, hiking, and fishing mountain streams with his friends and family. Many evenings ended with stories around the campfire beneath the stars. Don and Bob started a tradition of not being able to go to sleep until everyone had spotted a satellite in the starry, night skies. This tradition is carried on by grandchildren during camping trips to this day.

He enjoyed BSU football, cribbage, pool, and card games. Just two months ago, he proudly taught his great-grandchildren, Nizhoni and Ookwan, how to play poker. He was a gifted woodworker and shared many handmade creations with his family.

Bob will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and son. His family was his greatest joy, and he will be deeply missed.

Survived by his wife:

• His wife of 68 years, Mary Ann (Fate) Luscombe

Survived by his brother:

• William Lloyd Luscombe

Survived by his sister:

• Amy Eudora (Luscombe)

Charlton

Survived by his daughters:

• Laura L. (Luscombe) Watts and husband Daniel L. Watts

• Sandra K. (Luscombe) Shields and husband Jeffrey D. Shields

Survived by grandchildren:

• Robert D. Watts

• Erica A. (Watts) Jones

• Christina N. (Watts) McCoubrey and husband Todd McCoubrey

• Matthew D. Shields

• Zachary B. Shields and wife Faith-Ann (Kountz) Shields

Survived by great-grandchildren:

• Six beloved great-grandchildren

He will be fondly remembered and forever missed.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr. in Garden City.

A committal service with military honors will be held at 1:00 pm, on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Rd. in Boise, with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 pm, at Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.