Robert D. Bolen

Robert David Bolen, 77, of Nampa, passed away on September 6, 2017 of natural causes. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm. Friday September 15, 2017 at Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. S.

Robb was born on February 18, 1940 in Lexington, Nebraska to Ralph and Opal Otis Bolen. He was confined to bed with rheumatic fever from the ages of 6 - 9. He developed a passion for animals while watching from his window, and he loved to listen to old radio shows and music. He loved and excelled in scouting, and earned his Eagle Scout Award.

As a lad, he also came to accept and know the Lord Jesus as his Savior and he wanted everyone he came in contact with to know Him too.

Robb was a people person who never knew a stranger. Recently he struck up a conversation with 5 bikers from Brazil who were riding toward Canada. He spoke no Portuguese and only one of them knew any English. But he enjoyed connecting with them. Also, he liked keeping up with many of his childhood friends.

In 1973 he married Jackie Edwards, adopted her three children, and they had one of their own. He opened Bolen's Custodial, a janitorial service business which he operated for a number of years.

Along the way he developed a fascination for Native American culture, spurred by finding his first arrowhead. He decided to go back to college and graduated from Boise State with a degree in Anthropology / Archaeology. He then continued his studies for another two years while working toward a Masters degree.

A college friend introduced Robb to American Indian trade beads. He enjoyed collecting, buying, and selling beads especially at gun shows and other such venues. After he retired in 2005 he turned his hobby into a part- time, on-line, in-home business.

One day, while in a bookstore, he requested a book about Old Fort Boise but was told by the clerk that she could not find one. She suggested that maybe he should author such a book.

He did so. Then he continued to use his research skills to complete 12 books about the Plains and North American Indians. Robb was a member of the Idaho Authors Community and the Idaho Historical Society.

In 1989 Robb married Doris Stallcop Cannon and they enjoyed 28 years together.

Robb is survived by his wife Doris, a brother E. Dennis (Helen) Bolen of Fountain Valley, California, children Jeromy Bolen of Kuna, Brooke (Leonard) Williams of Alaska, Ryan Bolen of Denver, Kerri (Josh) Teeter of EI Dorado, Kansas, Jim Cannon, of Lynwood, Washington, as well as many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He will be missed.

Preceding him in death were his parent, Ralph and Opal Bolen, and a son Christopher Dailey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Love, Inc. Treasure Valley, 16446 N. Franklin Blvd. Nampa, Idaho 83687, or the Canyon County Historical Society and Museum, 1200 Front St. Nampa, Idaho.

An online guestbook is available at www.nempafuneralhome.com

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