Robert Warren Wuthrich

Robert Warren Wuthrich, 87, of Shelley, died June 7, 2011, at Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs, Idaho.

He was born April 7, 1924, in Nounan, Idaho, to Warner Wuthrich and Martha Gertsch Wuthrich.  He attended school in Montpelier, ID, and Van Nuys, CA, graduating from Montpelier High School.

Bob was a paratrooper in the 101

st

airborne division of the U.S. Army, where he was known as “Woody” because no one could pronounce his surname.  During World War II, he was shipped out to sea on the Queen Mary, with Winston Churchill on board.  Bob fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and drove his convoy into Bastogne to protect the city.  The Germans surrounded the city and captured all their medical and cooking supplies.  Bob was instrumental in keeping the troops alive through the winter because he was the only one who knew how to butcher animals.

On November 30, 1942, he married Arva Edith Williamson.  Their marriage was solemnized in the Mesa, Arizona temple.  They made their home in Salt Lake City and Modesto, California, where he was the western regional manager for the Singer Corporation.  In 1974, Bob purchased the Singer Sewing Center in Idaho Falls and operated the store until his retirement in 1989.

Bob was a devoted member of the LDS church and served in many callings. Together, he and Arva served a Spanish-speaking mission in Arcadia, California.

He is survived by his children, Tom (Donna) of Idaho Falls, and Jodi of Shelley; 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two brothers and three children.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14, at the Shelley South Stake Center, 675 S. Milton.  The family will visit with friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak in Shelley, and from 10 to 10:40 a.m. Tuesday before services at the church.  Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery, with military rites by David B. Bleak Post 93.