Robert Reginald DePoe III
courtesy photo
Robert DePoe III
Polson –– Robert Reginald DePoe III peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of Dec. 21, 2015, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones in his home in Polson. He was 40 years old.
Robert was born May 24, 1975, in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Robert Reginald DePoe, Jr. and Becky Lynn Gwilliam.
He grew up in Vanderhoof, British Columbia and Polson, Montana. He graduated from Ronan High School in 1993 and was a successful athlete on the basketball court. After graduation he served a two- year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Southern Utah. While serving there, he became acquainted with Southern Utah University and returned to attend after his mission. At S.U.U. he met and married the love of his life, Jamie Leialoha Urie, on March 27, 1998, in the St. George Utah Temple. They are the proud parents of three beautiful children, Neah Cheyenne, Isaac Robert and Kalin Rose DePoe.
Robert graduated in 2002 with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. He furthered his education by earning a Masters degree in Professional Communication in 2008. Education opened many doors for Robert. It gave him the experience, skills, and training necessary to not only provide for his family but also help others.
Robert started his professional career in 2002 with the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah as their Education Director. He continued to gain experience working for the Western Community Policing Institute as a trainer/program manager, and then for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as an Indian Self-Determination Specialist.
Robert was very proud to belong to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He always had a strong desire to come home, to make a difference and to help his people. All of his experiences and education, his love for learning and his strong bond to his heritage made him the perfect person to become the third President of the Salish Kootenai College.
Robert accomplished many things in his few short years as President of the Salish Kootenai College. His vision for the college and its students came through SKC’s first formal capital campaign “Capturing the Vision,” the creation of the Center for Tribal Research and Education in Ecosystem Sciences, a new Student Health Clinic, a Construction Trades Building, the Student Union and Bookstore, the establishment of Founders’ Week and the Founders’ Wall. Robert implemented the Achieving the Dream Initiative for Student Success and the Bison Ambassador Program. He facilitated the installation of two state-of-the-art classrooms for distance education and commissioned an economic impact study for the college. Robert had a vision for academic programs as well.
Under his leadership the college developed new degree programs by offering a B.A. in Tribal Governance and Administration, an A.S. in Medical Assisting and a Welding Program with United Steel Workers Association.
Robert was always thinking of ways to improve, preserve and share the amazing institution Salish Kootenai College is. He was committed to a higher quality of excellence and education he knew could be achieved because of the dedicated people who stood behind him and carried out his vision.
Robert was proud of his strong family heritage. Both sides of his family possessed qualities of perseverance, hard work, integrity, strength, service and fierce loyalty to family and friends. Love for his family propelled his desire to strive for the best.
Robert was often found talking on the phone, catching up with friends, past co-workers (who became friends), family, and others he met through the many organizations and experiences with work, hobbies and church callings. He genuinely cared about others, always wanting the best for them and helping if he could. Robert always tried to represent himself and live his life in a way that would make his family, his Father in Heaven and his tribe proud.
Robert loved being outdoors. Mountain biking, hiking, fishing at Kids Pond, snow-shoeing, camping, “taking the long way”, riding motorcycles and four-wheelers, playing on the lake, having barbecues, attending church and the temple, and working on vehicles.
