Robert "Bob" Willard Grasmick, 87, of Boise, Idaho, a beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on Saturday December 28, 2024, surrounded by family. Services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday January 9th at the LDS Church at 224 E Avalon St. Kuna, ID. Burial will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise. Viewing for friends and family will be from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, Thursday at the LDS Church.
Bob was born on August 19, 1937, in Nampa, Idaho to Henry George and Lillian Mae Grasmick. He is survived by his daughters Kelly (Ren) Johnson, Kathy (John) Ross, Jennifer (Gamal) Grasmick, and Joanne (Mike) Jones Anderson, his son Bryan (Kim) Grasmick, and former wife Dellene. He was preceded in death by his son, Bobby (Jami) Grasmick, his parents Henry and Lillian Grasmick, his brother Henry "Dutch" Grasmick, and his sister Lillian "Babe" Marcum.
Bob attended high school in Idaho Falls, where he started a love of boxing. At 17 years old, he won the Golden Gloves in Billings, Montana, receiving a full ride offer to attend Idaho State University. But Bob's passion for boxing couldn't be contained to one venue, so he practiced at multiple larger universities, honing his skills while staying home to work and taking care of his family. Bob's dedication to the sport led to him never losing a fight and always looking for progressively harder challenges and opponents. Many fights began with Bob lining his pockets with weights so he could fight the higher weight classes. Many of his best memories were found in the ring, and sometimes in the dark alleys afterwards. I can still hear him say "I never started a fight, but I would sure finish them".
A hard worker his entire life, winters saw Bob doing multiple odd ball jobs while the summers brought him to the potato fields of Bakersfield, California with his father and brother. A salesman at heart, Bob, along with his siblings and parents, ran Grasmick Produce for nearly 25 years, before retiring in 1985, selling his shares of the company to his brother, and investing in a manufactured housing community in Boise. Bob's strong work ethic combined with his sharp head for business found him with multiple business ventures throughout the years ranging from farming and selling firewood to food service and concessions. Bob had a knack for turning hard work into a profitable business.
Bob spent his last 30 years with his son Bobby and his wife Jami, raising horses and cows, hunting and fishing, and watching his grandchildren grow. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, integrity, service, and standing up for the right thing. Saying goodbye to this man is overwhelming. "Our paths may separate, but our memories will keep us connected."
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St Jude's Children's Hospital in his honor. Bob cherished children and loved seeing life through the eyes of our next generation.