Robert Gustav Nordquist

Robert (Bob) Gustav Nordquist of Moscow passed away June 12, 2016, at Gritman Medical Center at the age of 92. He was born on April 9, 1924, to Elsa Clara Anderson Nordquist and Gustav Gunnar Nordquist in Oakland, California. While in high school, Bob helped out his dad in his taxidermy business and was president of his natural science club.

Bob enlisted in the Air Force in 1942 and went to Fort Ord and then took his basic training at La Junta, Colorado. He attended photography school at Lowry Field in Denver. Afterwards, he was sent to Eglin Air Force Base, aircraft proving ground, in Florida and served in the Photography Corps. His general duties included training of pilots with a gunpoint-training camera, photographing dances and entertainers, and taking publicity photos for Air Force records.

After an honorable discharge in 1946, Bob returned home with dreams of attending college and studying biology, when his father asked him to help him catch up on a backload of taxidermy work, including over 300 deer heads. In July of 1947, Bob took over his father's taxidermy business. The business was located in Orinda, California, where Bob mounted between 150–200 deer heads a year, along with numerous other animals. One of his most difficult jobs was mounting a Galapagos turtle, which weighed 500 lbs. Bob also did special tanning of hides for scientific purposes for the Universities of Louisiana, Kansas, Illinois, Washington, and California and the counties of Los Angeles and San Diego.

Bob served as the Boy Scouts of America Scout Master in Orinda in 1947, the first year he got out of the service, and was with the scouts for several years. He did some district work for Contra Costa County as well and sat on the Eagle Scout Board of Review. Bob was also a charter member of the Orinda Rotary Club in 1949. He was the youngest member and served as the first Sergeant of Arms.

In 1954, Bob chased a pretty kindergarten teacher around the dance floor on Valentine's Day. She finally agreed to dance with him and they were married six months later. Bob and Marilyn moved to Bishop in 1957 with the idea of Bob working for Dave Wiltsie in his store and also doing some taxidermy. Bob took over the business and it became "Bob Nordquist's Country Sierra" where he sold gifts and clothing. He continued his taxidermy from his shop at his home. In 1979, Bob sold the business on main street to Schat's Bakery.

Bob was heavily involved in the Bishop Chamber of Commerce and was a two-term consecutive president of the chamber. He convinced the city council to purchase a kit for an A-frame building to house the chamber, and helped assemble it in the chamber's current location. Bob was board chair of the Bishop Union High School school board, and was a proud founding member of the annual Bishop Mule Days Celebration. He was also involved in the trout derby. Bob greatly enjoyed the countryside around Bishop, and liked to hunt, fish, and take photographs. Bob and Marilyn lived in Bishop for 35 years.

In 1992, after Marilyn retired from teaching, they decided to move to Ashland, Oregon. While in Ashland, Bob and Marilyn became active members of the Unitarian Universalist Church. Bob became chair of the Building and Grounds Committee and a member of the board. He was one of the founding members of the church's endowment and its first treasurer.

Bob and Marilyn decided to move to Moscow, Idaho in 2005, to be closer to their daughter and four granddaughters. He enjoyed attending their school events and was a very proud grandfather. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav and Elsa, and his wife, Marilyn, of 56 years. He is survived by his son, Gregg Nordquist, and his wife Ann, and their son Sean. He is also survived by his daughter Nora Moser and her husband Dan and their daughters, Kelsey, Haley, Jenna, and Zoe.

Fiercely independent, Bob remained in his house with his little corgi for company. He always planted a garden and enjoyed feeding the many quail and songbirds who frequented his yard.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Gritman Medical Center for their kindness and care of Bob while he was hospitalized. At his request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman is in charge of the arrangements. (www.kimballfh.com)