Robert David VanBuskirk Jr. 64, of Boise, died Tuesday, July 25, 1995 at home of natural causes.

Robert David VanBuskirk Jr. was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 26, 1930, the son of Robert and Lorraine Hanson VanBuskirk. The best of his childhood years were spent at Malad, where printer’s ink entered his blood in the publishing business owned by his beloved grandparents, Clyde and Margaret Hansen.

Before he was out of high school he already was employed by The Idaho Statesman as sports editor. He was fond of relating to all who would listen that he was fired three times by The Statesman before he was 30 — he considered it a record.

A graduate of Boise High, he served three years with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict before continuing his education at Boise Junior College.

With The Statesman and some summer experience with United Press International under his belt, he was a natural to man a typewriter instead of a bayonet — he was a public information officer in the Marines.

Back from Korea and back in college, he met and married Shirley Smith, and the couple produced three daughters, Sheri, Tracy, and Michelle. Bob continued his career in journalism — at The Statesman and UPI, and became one of the state’s most prominent political writers.

His reputation as a political authority gained for him a prestigious position as a lobbyist for S&H Green Stamps for several years before journalism and political campaigns again called to him.

Bob and Shirley were divorced in 1965. Two years later he married Kathe Peterson, and they had one son, Michael David.

Bob’s flashing black eyes, his energy, generosity and magnetic personality made him the center of attention in every crowd. During his youth his pals never made a move without seeing first what “Bobby” was going to do. His home was where the action was, and whatever he had his friends were welcome to share.

He probably like best puttering around his yards, gardens and swimming pools in various locations all over Boise through many years.

Bob is survived by his children and their families, Sheri and Todd Scott and their children, Casey, Shannon and Taylor of Missoula, Mont., Tracy and George Reace of Glenns Ferry, Michelle and Mike Schieman and their three sons, Chad, Cody and Cole of Wasilla, Alaska, and his son, Michael Rife of McCall; the mother of his children also survive him, Shirley Mix of Boise and Kathe Rife of McCall.

Services were held Friday in the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel in Boise. Bob requested no flowers, but suggested that memorials be made to the Idaho Diabetes Association, 1528 S. Vista Ave. in Boise.