Robert H. Messick

Dec. 19, 1942 – Oct. 28, 2024

Robert (Bob) H. Messick, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away October 28, 2024, at the Spirit Mountain Hospice House in Cody, Wyoming. 

He was born December 19, 1942, to Karma Holland Messick and William Robert Messick in Shelley, Idaho. 

Growing up on a farm during his early life, Bob enjoyed the freedom of being young, curious and adventurous. He had quite the stories to tell about it all. 

Bob attended school in Basalt, Goshen and Firth High School, where he was senior class president. His talents were many. He loved sports and played football, ran the mile and pole-vaulted in track and excelled in basketball. 

He participated in high school operettas, as well as the Idaho Falls, Idaho, productions of “The King and I” and “South Pacific.” His dancing lessons afforded him the opportunity to do exhibition adagio and ballroom dancing with his partner throughout the Eastern Idaho area. He was quite the dancer.

He attended two years at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, where he took precedence in track, was president of the dance club, a cheer king and a choir and Alpha Delta Fraternity member.

After graduating from Ricks College with an associate in science degree, he served a 2½-year mission to Austria for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He played on a basketball team representing the church in Austria. He loved the people, and some of his missionary companions remained friends throughout his life.

Upon returning from Austria, Bob attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a major in pre-physical therapy/zoology in 1968.

Bob enlisted in the National Guard in Blackfoot, Idaho, and Lovell. He achieved many commendations, one of which was the top academic honors from the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, receiving the Sergeants Major Trophy as outstanding graduate. He also was a member of the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol.

Bob worked a variety of jobs, beginning in his youth doing farm work. He learned the importance of hard work. After returning from Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he worked in a potato processing plant, a brick plant and as a customer service representative for Universal CIT Credit Corporation in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He later obtained his license as an insurance salesman. He also, enjoyed investigating business opportunities. During the summer months, he worked for farmers and the gypsum plants.

Sandra Lea Smith and Robert were married in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple June 1969, and they made their home in Firth, Idaho. Sandra taught school while he worked at CIT. After about a year, Bob decided he kind of liked the idea of having more freedom from steady work in the summer. So he enrolled in university classes at Pocatello, Idaho, and became certified as an elementary teacher with endorsements in general science, biology, P.E. Health and coaching basketball and track. His first teaching assignment was third grade in the Snake River School District in Blackfoot. He decided that he had made a good choice to become a teacher because of how gratifying it was to him.

Teaching jobs attracted Bob and Sandra to Wyoming in 1973, where he taught third grade in Byron. Basin was his next employment, where he again taught third grade for six years. Then he became the Title I teacher/director and technology coordinator. He implemented the first computer assisted instruction into the classroom in the state of Wyoming, became the first trainer for “See the Sound/Visual Phonics Program” in the Wyoming/Idaho/Montana area, wrote grants and was project manager for the grants, wrote and implemented the district technology plan and served on the Wyoming State Department of Education accreditation team. Under his direction, the Big Horn County School District #4 was designated as an exemplary program. Of his teaching experience he said, “I never taught a student that I didn’t learn to love.”

As a father to Ryan (1975) and Jason (1978), he nurtured them with love, guidance and support. He cherished the time he spent with them, especially as third graders when they traveled to Basin to school together. 

He loved music.  At an early age, he thought he should be outside perfecting the craft of basketball instead of learning to play the piano. While on his mission, he discovered the guitar. After returning home to Idaho, he participated with musical groups. He enjoyed his musical talent all his life and was delighted to incorporate it into the teaching of his students. He was a forever fan of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s popular music. 

Bob was committed to his faith in God and Jesus Christ. He served in many capacities within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including YMYW dance instructor, scoutmaster, Elders quorum counselor, Seventy’s counselor, Ward mission leader, stake missionary, High Counselor, seminary teacher, ward executive secretary, Ward welfare specialist and Ward Teacher Development instructor. 

Bob liked to travel. Sometimes he and Sandy would hop in the car and just start driving, not knowing where they would end up. His biggest ventures were to Mexico, Alaska, Canada and Hawaii, as well as several states in America. The most gratifying experiences were traveling to visit his children and grandchildren as well as his Idaho and Utah families. He cherished every moment shared with loved ones.

In his leisure time, Bob enjoyed playing his guitar, listening to music, playing and observing sports, watching movies, fishing, boating and especially being involved with his children, grandchildren, family and friends.

Bob always had an entrepreneurship desire. This continued even after retiring from the education scene in 1998.

He was preceded in death by his brother Mark.

Those who will miss his love, talents, humor, knowledge, discussions and companionship the most are his wife of 54 years, Sandra Lea Smith Messick; children Ryan (Amber) Lee and Jason (Shante’) Robert; grandchildren Tyler Messick, Lauren Messick, Marissa (Ty) Purcell, Sada and Nathan; great-granddaughters Bonnie and Ivy Purcell, who were the sunshine for each day; sister Kathleen (Richard) Matheson; brothers Bruce (Terrie) and Wade (Julene), who were important parts of his life; and many nephews, nieces and cousins, especially his “cousin buddy,” Ron (Sally) Harper.

A viewing/visitation was held Monday, Nov. 4, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Byron LDS Church, followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. Interment was in the Byron Cemetery following the service. 

Haskell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.