Bob Sterling Falen

Bob Sterling Falen, 70, of Soda Springs, passed into eternity on August 16, 2015. Bob was born on June 17, 1945 in Ontario, Oregon to Kenneth M. Falen and Barbara Jean Draper Falen. The family moved to Hailey, ID in 1946. After relocating to Pocatello in 1955, Bob attended Greenacres Elementary and Franklin Jr. High. He graduated from Boise High School after another family move. Bob then returned to Pocatello to attend Idaho State University, graduating in 1969. Bob married Janice K. Ferguson in 1966 and they had two children, a daughter, Heidi Kay and a son, Jansen Wesley. Bob and Janice were later divorced. Bob and Mary Evalyn Crowley were married in 1987 while Bob was serving in the Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Bob was a career military officer. He began his military service with the ISU ROTC. He served in Vietnam as a helicopter gunship pilot flying the armed version of the Huey (uh-1c) logging over 800 hours of combat mission flight time. He completed his 1 year combat tour in May of 1971, returning to the U.S. to be assigned to the 1 st infantry division. Later that year he began a series of transitions to become qualified in new aircraft, which over the next 20 years included: the Oh-58 Kiowa, Oh-6 Cayuse, Ah-1 Cobra, and the Ah-64 Apache. Bob also held a commercial fixed wing pilot license. At the time of his military retirement in 1991, he had accumulated approximately 10,000 hours of flight time. Bob had a second career working for several aircraft manufacturers, including the Lancair Corp., Columbia Aircraft Co., and the Cessna Aircraft Company. He decided in 2008 to "actually retire" and he and Mary returned home to Idaho. He continued his dedication to his fellow warriors by serving as Commander of the Soda Springs Veterans Honor Guard for several years. An active person with many interests, Bob was a seasoned outdoorsman and marksman, accomplished USPSA/IPSC and cowboy action shooter, certified firearms instructor, scuba diver, alpine skier, writer, and wood and leatherwork craftsman. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary of Soda Springs, ID; daughter, Heidi (Michael) Falck of Federal Way, WA; son, Jansen (Leslie) Falen of Kingston, WA; stepdaughters, Dawn (Ron) Young of Warner Robbins, GA, and Sherry Griggs of Hartsville, SC. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Adam (Chalene) Holze, Mckenna Pangan, Brandy Pangan, Bailey Pangan, Nic Falck, Mason Falen, Elli Falen, Ashley (Austin) Tobiasz-Harris, Garrett (Kelli) Hoard, Emily Young, Ryan Young and Breanna Griggs; 5 great-grandsons, Silas Holze, Levi Holze, Gatlin Harris, Jaren Hoard, Jax Hoard; and one great-granddaughter, Rosalie Salinas-Lucci; half-sisters, Rosie Nicholson of Carrolton, TX, Kendra Falen and Shelly Mccoy of Boise, ID. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, half-sister, Mary Jo Higbee, and stepson, Bradley Dorriety who passed away in 2006 . The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs, ID, the doctors and staff of Portneuf Cancer Center in Pocatello, ID and to Alliance Hospice for the care and compassion they extended to Bob and the family during this difficult time. Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 from 6-8 pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4 th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho 83201, 208-233-1500. Graveside services will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 1 pm at the Bellevue Idaho Cemetery in Bellevue, Idaho with full Military Honors. Bellevue, Idaho (Blaine County) Cemetery Directions: From ID-75/Main St in Bellevue, turn East onto Chestnut St. Cemetery is on the right.

Visitation

08/21/2015 18:00

20:00:00

Restlawn Memorial Gardens

2864 S. 5th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83204



Graveside Service

08/22/2015 13:00



Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201