Longtime Idaho-based horseman Bob Giltner Jr. died on September 28.

© Courtesy Farnsworth Mortuary

Robert W. Giltner Jr. died at his home in Jerome, Idaho, on September 28. He was 74.

Bob was born on May 23, 1948 in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Robert Giltner Sr. and Emma Louise Haman. The oldest of four children, Bob had two brothers, Bill Giltner and Joe Giltner, and one sister, Anne Newbry. Bob's younger years were spent in Filer, Idaho, until 1959, when the family moved to Jerome. Bob graduated from Jerome High School in 1967 and joined the Reserves a short time later.

In 1970 he met Linda Rydalch, and they began their 52 years of marriage together. Bob and Linda had three children, Scott (Holly) Giltner, Tani (Luke) McCoy and Sandy (Brian) Pittock. Bob began his milk hauling career with his dad and his two brothers in 1960. From 1960-71, they would pick up and deliver milk in can vans to the Kraft Plant in Rupert, Idaho. At the end of 1969 the boys and their dad, purchased a milk route and the Giltner Brothers began hauling milk in tankers, expanding the business to 10-gallon milk cans, and began delivering milk into the Swift Milk Plant south of Twin Falls.

In the early 1980's, Bob and his brothers split Giltner Brothers, and Bob and Linda began building their own trucking company, Giltner Inc. With this change in the business Bob, still hauling milk, expanded his business to include long haul trucks with dry vans and refers. During this time, the business had a cheese store in which his sister, Anne, helped to run, stock, and did the bookkeeping. After selling the long-haul truck in the early 90’s, Bob partnered with his son, Scott, when the Davis family built Jerome Cheese. Together their trucking company has prospered and grown into Giltner Trucking, which still hauls milk into Jerome Cheese, and Giltner Milk Transportation.

When Bob's work was done, one of his greatest loves was fast horses. Together with Linda and his kids, most Saturdays through the winter were spent at the Jerome Fairgrounds running chariot teams. Many forever friends and great times were made over the years. Horse racing didn't end in the summer, as Bob loved going to Les Bois Park in Boise and watching their horses run on the flat track. A Royal Dervish, Vodka Soda No Fruit, Hawthorne Hawk and Thank You Dash, to name a few, were horses that gave him some of his greatest victories and memories.

Many of Bob's friends and family members looked to him for advice and valued his thoughts and opinions. Bob was respected for his values, knowledge and integrity. Above all else, Bob's family was most important in all that he did. He kept tabs on all those who were important to him throughout his life. Mornings were often started with phone calls to see what was lined up for the day, and the day ended with a phone call asking how the day had been. He would check if there were any problems and what was accomplished. His kids, and later his grandkids, quickly learned that there was nothing, or very little, that dad and grandpa didn't know or would find out about.

He was most proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed the time spent with them more than any other, whether it be at a horse race, camping or simply having them gather in his living room, watching them laugh, argue, or talk about what was happening in their lives.

Bob is survived by his wife Linda; children Scott (Holly) Giltner, Tani (Luke) McCoy and Sandy (Brian) Pittock; grandchildren Coltyn (Kayla) Giltner, Jordyn (Jordon) Waddell, Aron (Chyanna) Pittock, Tylar Pittock, Zack Pittock, Kaylie McCoy and Kinsie McCoy; great grandchildren Westyn Waddell and soon to arrive, Walker Waddell; brothers Bill (Suzanne) Giltner and Joe (Becky) Giltner; sister Anne (Mark) Newbry;  and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother.

The family expresses its gratitude and appreciation for his hospice nurse, Jessica, for keeping her word on caring for Bob.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jerome Senior Citizen Center, 520 North Lincoln Ave, Jerome.