Oct. 29, 1923 Aug. 18, 2012

Robert (Bob) W. Wiggins, 88, a longtime resident of Wallowa Lake, died Aug. 18, in Star, Idaho, with his three children at his side.

He was born to Irene Babcock Wiggins and Lee Roy Wiggins in the Palouse on the family wheat ranch near Johnson, Wash.

He graduated from Pullman High School, attended Washington State University and was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity.

During his high school and college years, he vacationed with his family at Wallowa Lake. In 1945 his mother, Irene, decided to buy Wallowa Lake Lodge.

In 1951 he married Jean E. Wiegand of Corvallis and they had three children during their marriage.

The Wiggins family operated Wallowa Lake Lodge for 43 years. Bob kept everything running as a part owner-operator and mentored many high school and college kids who worked there during those summers. Many had first jobs and some returned year after year. He loved to tell visitors about the area and had many stories he shared with them.

Bob loved to boat, write, read, travel and was fascinated by science and science fiction.

In 1988 the Wiggins family sold the lodge and Bob retired. He traveled, enjoying his retirement with his partner of many years, Vera Talbott. In 1990 he bought a place in Clarkston, Wash., and lived half his year there and the other half at Wallowa Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Lee Wiggins and partner Vera Talbott.

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Duane and Jane Wiggins of Joseph; ex-wife, Jean Wiggins of Joseph; children and their spouses, Chris and Barbara Wiggins of Whitefish, Mont., Cathy and Brad Graybeal of Eagle, Idaho, and Eric and Erin Wiggins of Lebanon; and two grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept 15, 2012, at Prairie Creek Cemetery, Joseph. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Legacy Hospice Foundation, 680 S. Progress Avenue, Suite 2A, Meridian, ID 83642.