[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25943]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING A GREAT IDAHOAN

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I would like to offer a few words 
today recognizing the full and joyful life of a remarkable Idahoan, 
Robert Bershers. Although Bob and his wife Louise traveled extensively, 
Idaho was home. He lived and worked in Coeur d'Alene where he was 
active on the Kootenai County Fair Board from 1983 to 2001, and he 
owned and operated a successful construction business for many years. 
Bob lived vigorously, enjoying the life of a businessman and rancher 
and, according to his daughter Khris, was the kind of man ``whose idea 
of going to the fair was getting there on Wednesday just before it 
opened and staying through the last spin of the ferris wheel on 
Sunday.''
  North Idaho was the home of his heart--from the chilly, grey and wet 
winters to the warm and bright summer days in the mountains and by the 
lake; he and Louise never stayed away too long. But for Bob, it was 
Idahoans who made our State truly great. According to his family, Bob 
loved Idaho because people take the time to be friendly. And Bob not 
only loved that in others, he lived it himself, taking in those in 
need, either four-footed or two. Louise reminisced recently that when 
his children were still at home, the house had a revolving door of kids 
and animals, all finding refuge in their home when they needed it most.
  Bob never failed to tell his children and family that he loved them. 
Indeed, his unfailing dedication to family and community are true 
measures of a good and honorable man. Bob will be sorely missed by all 
who knew him, but those same people will carry on the blessings his 
life brought to them.

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