Robert B. (Pete) Cargill died Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, after a long and courageous battle with leukemia.
Pete was born on Oct. 24, 1940, to U.L. and Hazel N. Kennedy Cargill, in Los Angeles. He moved with his parents, in 1944, to Fieldbrook, Calif., where he attended elementary school in a one-room school through the eighth grade. In 1958, he graduated from Arcata (Calif.) High School and attended Humboldt State University in Arcata.
On Jan. 19, 1963, Pete and Alene Greer were married in Arcata, where they were blessed with four children during their 20-year marriage. They later divorced.
Pete joined his father's real estate firm in Arcata in 1963, becoming the broker/owner of the firm upon his father's death in 1967. In 1985, Pete moved to Lewiston, maintaining his Arcata office as a branch office. He became a licensed real estate broker in Idaho and continued his firm in Lewiston until the time of his death. Natalie Cargill Howard joined her father in 1994, functioning as designated broker at the time of his death.
In 1970, Pete became a Master Mason in Arcata Lodge No. 106 F. he served as master of this lodge in 1976. In 1990, Pete became a dual member in Nez Perce Lodge No. 10 A.F. & A.M. in Lewiston, and served as master in 1998. Pete served as Most Excellent Grand High Priest and Secretary of Royal Arch Masons. He was the Right Illustrious Deputy Grand Master and Recorder of Cryptic Masons; he also served as Right Eminent Grand Commander and Recorder of Knights Templar. In York Rite, he was Most Worshipful Grand Master, Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Right Eminent Grand Commander, Eminent Prior of Idaho Priory No. 13, Knights of York of Honour, Pruissant Sovereign of St. Patrick Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. Pete was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Calam Shriners. His greatest satisfaction was serving the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Masons in Idaho as Most Worshipful Grand Master in 2007-2008. He was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star No. 207, Arcata, and a dual member of Laurel Chapter No. 13, Lewiston, serving both chapters as Worthy Patron. Grand Chapter of Idaho Order of Eastern Star was also a great source of happiness for Pete, and he loved serving in many appointive positions.
All during his life, Pete loved to paint in oils and sketch in pen and ink; his paintings and sketches are a gift to us all. He loved classical music and often listened to his music while painting. Reading was another passion of Pete's; countless friends and associates relied upon Pete to be a fountain of knowledge and information; he was always willing to take the time to answer and explain questions about automobiles, math, science, real estate and a countless variety of topics. He had endless patience to repair toys, appliances, or anything that needed repair - the only problem was sometimes he had a few pieces left over when he was finished. He had time and patience for everyone, most of all for those no one else had time for.
Pete is survived by his daughters, Natalie Howard and her husband, Robert, of Lewiston, Kim Sykes and her husband, Rich, of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Elizabeth Cargill and Michael Schneider of Kent, Wash.; a son, Scott Cargill and his wife, Chrissy, of Lewiston; his brothers, Bill Cargill and his wife, Maria, of Lewiston, Calif., and Tom Cargill and his wife, Linda, of Fieldbrook, Calif.; a dear cousin, Carol Millar and her husband, Keith, of Fieldbrook; grandchildren, Christina Winkle, Lindsay Winkle and Kasey Thomason of Lewiston, Courtney Thomason, Mckenzie Thomason, Caden Sykes and Carter Sykes of Mountain Home; extended grandchildren and special friends, Chris Tutcher, Kim Spear, Brandy Tutcher and Chad Peters, all of Lewiston; and other special grandchildren, Jessie Russell and Yojana Katawadi of Lewiston. He leaves friends too numerous to mention individually, as Pete was a friend to all who knew him.
The family offers their gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for and loved Pete during his illness. Their personal care inspires hope and comfort for us all.
A funeral service has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home in Lewiston.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to those listed as follows: the Memorial Building Fund, Nez Perce Masonic Lodge No. 10, 1122 18th Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501; First Baptist Church, 812 Eighth St., Lewiston, ID 83501; or Fieldbrook Community Church, 4103 Fieldbrook Road, Fieldbrook, CA 95519.
