Robert "Bob" Dalton

Robert Labrum Dalton, “Bob”, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 at his home in Driggs surrounded by his loving family on January 21, 2017, under the care of Avalon Hospice.

Bob was born in Boise, Idaho on November 22, 1936 to Fredrick William Dalton, Jr. and Mary Lavon Labrum.

Bob moved with his family to Pocatello, Idaho when he was five.  He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1954.  Bob attended Idaho State for a short time before joining the US Navy.  He began his military career, after passing the Naval Aviator Exam, training in fixed-wing aircraft and then becoming a helicopter pilot/instructor in Pensacola, Florida.  While stationed in Pensacola he met the love of his life, Theresa V. Renn (Tess) whom he married on March 7, 1959.  They were married for 57 years and raised their three daughters, Alice Naomi, Abby Leigh and Angela Lynn.

Some of the highlights of his Naval career included participating in one of the early Mercury recovery teams in the Pacific, and training pilots from Brazil and other countries.  In June of 1976, he became the commanding officer of Helicopter Squadron 9 (HS-9) after it was re-commissioned in June of 1976 in Jacksonville, Florida.  He also attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Bob retired from the Navy in 1980 and moved to Teton Valley with his family.  While in Teton Valley Bob served as the Emergency Services Director for 16 years, as well as serving as a volunteer dispatcher for the Driggs Fire Department.  Bob also dabbled in real estate.  He worked alongside several Teton Valley residents in establishing a Fire District for Teton County and later served as a Fire Commissioner.  He was always willing to help out his neighbors and others in the Valley.

After retiring the second time, he enjoyed traveling to visit his grandchildren and children, whom he considered his greatest accomplishment.  He once again took to the seas traveling this time on luxury liners in the Caribbean, Atlantic, Baltic, North Sea, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Panama Canal.

Bob is survived by his wife, Tess, of Driggs, his daughters – Alice Dalton (Twin Falls), Abby Grundler (Driggs) and Angela Dalton (Helena, MT); grandchildren Tessa Grundler, Liam Grundler, Ry Rieke, and Reya Rieke; and, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Fredrick William Dalton III, and his sister, Mary Naomi Dalton Willes.

The funeral will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at the Driggs LDS Stake Center, 225 North 1st East, Driggs, Idaho under the direction of Valley Mortuary of Driggs, with burial at the Bates Cemetery immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Legion Post 95, P. O. Box 382, Driggs, Idaho 83422 or Avalon Hospice, 403 1st Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.

Condolences may be sent to the family www.valleymortuarydriggs.com