Robert “Bob” Warren Compton

December 2nd, 1935 – July 26th, 2023

Robert “Bob”  Warren Compton, 87, recently of Midvale, Idaho, slipped peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus on July 26, 2023, at his daughter’s home in Boise.  After a rapid decline in health, he was attended by his loving wife Patty, his daughter Kari and her family, Patty’s son Mike, and the wonderful staff of Angels Among Us and Ancora Hospice.

Bob was born on December 2nd, 1935, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise, Idaho to Mamie “Billie” Irita (Getz) Compton and Charles Warren Robert “CWR” Compton.  Bob followed two older sisters Barbara and Dollie as the first son and then was followed by three younger brothers: Bill, one who died a day after birth, and Chuck.

Even though he contracted polio as a very small child, Bob worked hard to catch up with his peers at Longfellow Elementary and Boise High.  Besides participating in Boy Scouts, ROTC, and other service organizations, he played clarinet in orchestra and performed with his two older sisters who played saxophones.  These three siblings were following in their father’s footsteps, as CWR had a band called “The Compton Boys” that played venues in Boise and Sun Valley.

Bob graduated from Boise Junior College while working as a bellboy and busboy at the Owyhee Hotel.  He then attended Washington State University (WSU), where he earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. After working in a private practice for two years, he taught at Chico State. While in Chico, he married Martha Rose (Bridges) Henley in October of 1961, and from this union Bob’s only child, his daughter Kari, was born (1969).

In 1964, Bob went on to earn a PhD in Neurophysiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Postdoctoral Fellow.  After returning to teaching in Chico for a few years, he relocated back to Pullman to teach at WSU’s school of Veterinary Medicine.   It was here he and his small family needed to rent a small basement apartment near the WSU campus.  The only problem was that the sweet, proper landlady Mrs. Potter did not allow dogs in her home.   Bob convinced her to at least meet their German Shepherd Nugget, known as the “wonderdog” for taking Top Dog in Show in Chicago in 1967 in Obedience, winning in field trials, and traveling many of Wisconsin’s lakes canoe camping.  Nugget was so well behaved in her living room, putting his head gently on her knee, that she agreed.

Still working at WSU, he later moved his little family just 10 miles away to Viola, Idaho where they built a house on the shoulder of Moscow Mountain that still remains today.

Eventually, Bob had hoped to open his own practice in McCall, Idaho, but before all the pieces came together another vet opened a clinic just outside of town where it still serves families and their animals in Valley County.  He then shifted his focus to studying and becoming a Real Estate Agent.  Bob loved working with people and spent many happy years as an Associate Broker focusing on Farm & Ranch with John Aldape for Larry Hellhake and Associates.  Bob was known for his professional attitude, strong work ethic, and unwavering honesty.

When the recession hit Idaho in the 1980’s and the real estate market dried up, Bob had to once again shift his focus.  He joined MWI, a veterinary supply company headquartered in Nampa, Idaho.  Although MWI respected Bob’s double doctorate degrees, they believed strongly that all employees should start from the bottom and work their way up. Bob started in the supply warehouse as a stock boy.  His character was evident in his hardworking, humble attitude. In a few short years, he had worked his way up to being a top salesman for the Northwest Region.  Veterinarians everywhere in his territory loved his honest expertise and trusted their purchases to him.

Eventually Grand Labs, a veterinary pharmaceutical company, asked him to come work for them.  Traveling in the same Northwest Territory, Bob helped veterinarians, cattle ranchers, and dairymen develop animal health programs by giving them information about immune systems and the viruses and bacteria that cause disease in beef and dairy herds.  Bob finally “retired” from Grand Labs, but that didn’t mean he stopped working hard.

It was during his MWI years that Bob met and married the love of his life, Patricia “Patty” (Buskey) Compton.  Patty traveled with Bob and helped with many presentations for Grand Labs.  Bob was a dedicated husband and father. He was married to Patty for 34 years. Until recently Bob and Patty made their home in Midvale, Idaho where they had many friends.

Bob was also a passionate Christian and Creation Scientist. He was a co-founder of FIGI (Foundations In Genesis of Idaho), and he helped to write the book “Without Excuse” by Dr. Werner Gitt which explains how all biological information ultimately comes from God.  Bob and Patty also supported the development of the Creation Training Initiative ministry of Mike Riddle.

Bob loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, running, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. He was also a talented joke teller and punster.

Bob will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He was a kind, generous, and loving man who will always be remembered for his sense of humor and his commitment to his faith.  The most common phrase used to describe Bob as we have talked to so many friends is that Bob was a man who “walked the talk.”

Bob is survived by his wife, Patty, his daughter Kari (Michael) Compton Rishel, and their three children, Kyla, Kellen, and Cade; Patty’s son, Michael (Dawn) Farrell, and their three children, Johnny (Ansley), Meg, and Luke; and Bob’s brother Chuck (Joy) Compton.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Barbara and Dollie, and his brother Bill.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 12th at 11:00 AM in the Chapel at the Boise Vineyard Church, located at 4950 N Bradley St, Garden City, ID 83714. Entrance to chapel is through Heritage Hall. Enter through doors next to the stained glass window on the Bradley Street side.  Food and fellowship will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate in memory of this amazing man to any of his favorite charities:

Love Israel – loveisrael.org/donate/

Institution for Creation Research – icr.org/donate/index/

Creation Training Initiative – creationtraining.org/supporting-the-vision/

Foundations In Genesis in Idaho (FIGI):

Mail Checks to:

FIGI

8225 Highway 45

Nampa, Idaho 83686

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