Lovell B. Robbins

Lovell B Robbins, 90, of Othello, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at Avalon Care Center in Othello with his wife at his side holding his hand.

Lovell was born on Dec. 19, 1917, in Thatcher, Idaho, the second of 11 children born to Hyrum Hoopes Robbins and Laura Barthlome Robbins. He grew up in Rupert, Idaho, where he met his wife Fern E. Campbell. They were married on Oct. 2, 1941, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They moved to Long Beach, Calif., where Lovell worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company until returning to Idaho to farm.

In November of 1943, Lovell announced to Fern that he was going to enlist in the Navy. He told her that because they didn't yet have children, perhaps, if he signed up some young father somewhere might not have to. He served faithfully until his honorable discharge on Jan. 5, 1946, when he returned to his sweetheart and his farming.

They moved to Othello in December of 1954 and then to Royal Slope in February of 1956, where he had purchased a farm in the new Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. He farmed there successfully until he retired and then spent his time building play equipment in his yard for his grandchildren and woodworking projects for his friends and neighbors. He was active in his church and was a volunteer fireman and fire commissioner for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jerry and Max, and three sisters, Gwen, Lula and Rae.

He is survived by his wife, Fern, of Othello, sons Brent (Jerri) of Spokane and Rex (Cheryl) of Othello, daughter Shirley Sartell (Ron) of Silverton, Ore., brothers Gene Robbins, Royal Slope, Leo Robbins, Rupert, Idaho, Milton Robbins, Pasco, Wash., Rodney Robbins, Rupert, Idaho, Sister Verlee Frost, Burley, Idaho. They have 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Please feel free to leave a note for Lovell's family and sign the guestbook at www.carverfamilyfuneralhome.com.

A viewing will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, beginning at 9 a.m. at the LDS church at Royal (Camp), with funeral services following at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Arrangements in care of Carver Family Funeral Home, Moses Lake.