Robert Frederick Graefe III was born on June 4, 1946, to Meta and Robert Graefe. He passed away peacefully in his chair on the evening of July 28, 2026, in Kooskia, ID. He was born and raised in Sheboygan, WI with his two brothers Jim and Mike. Bob was very active in the community and sports growing up. He began playing football at a young age and played through high school, once even playing on Lambeau Field in Green Bay. After high school Bob played football into his college years at Central College in Pella, IA. Here he made many cherished memories and friendships that lasted through his lifetime.

In the late 60's, following one of his college friends, Bob moved to Idaho and began working for Fish and Game. This job led him to do a beaver study in the Little Lost River Valley. From this point on the Little Lost would become home and he would again make many cherished friends and memories. Around 1970, Bob and his brother Mike bought and ran the Sinks Inn Bar and Cafe. During this time, he met and married his beloved wife, Jacqueline. This union immediately blessed Bob with four daughters, Lori, Jane, Joan and Kristi. Bob finished his collection of daughters with the birth of Mary in 1972.

Bob worked his whole life. He had a stint as a sod man with Merdith Sod Farms. He worked the mines in Challis. He worked around the valley. His final employer would be the INEL where he worked for 26 years until his retirement.

Upon retirement, Bob and Jackie moved to Kooskia, ID where they spent many happy years together until her passing in 2011. Bob remained in Kooskia until his passing, and yet again made many cherished friends and memories. His later years were spent fishing, planting trees and milkweed, tinkering, breaking and fixing things, traveling, visiting friends and family, and chasing his elusive monarch butterfly.

Bob was an exceptional human being. He was an avid hunter, fisher, and outdoorsman. He loved being in the mountains and finding the biggest trees in the forest. Bob never met a stranger. His quick wit and knowledge of all things made him a friend to everyone, and he carried and visited those cherished friendships throughout his lifetime. He was a tough guy with a big heart and as fearless as they come. Bob lived and loved life to the fullest. He will be deeply missed.

He is preceded in death by parents, Meta and Robert Graefe; wife, Jacqueline Graefe; and brother, James Graefe. He is survived by brother, Michael (Barb) Graefe; daughters, Mary (Kevin) Ellis, Kristi Olson, Joan (Bill) Howard, Jane Jensen, and Lori (Richard) Frasure; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Plant a tree in Bob's honor - "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Little Lost River Bible Church in Howe, Idaho. The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Howe Cemetery.