Last Sunday (May 9th), Jake and I had just crawled into bed and the phone rang (11:48 pm). It was my dad so I answered and knew immediately that it must not be well if he was up and calling that late. He said he had sad news about Robert and that he had passed. My parents were in Idaho and the only thing I knew was that I needed to get to Charity and the kids, so Jake and I left our house a little after midnight and drove through the night to Knoxville to be with Charity. She had sent the kids to school not ready to tell them yet. Jake and I went with her to get the kids from school and then she told them one at at time. Jake broke the news to Riley and Izzy alongside with Charity. Izzy immediately lost it. Sandra drive up that afternoon so her kids could play with Chare's kids and it was a great distraction for them. Monday evening close to midnight, Riley came in to chat with Jake. Jake is so compassionate and good for them. He is a rock. We bought plane tickets for them to fly out to see Robert's family and attend a memorial for the kids. Seeing a video of the kids singing "Peace in Christ" and wiping tears got me all weepy too. It has been a very rough week and I am sure there are many rough ones to come. I have always said when Robert was good, he was good. I have cried much more than I anticipated I would. I am glad Robert no longer has to fight off the voices or demons but I know it will most likely be so tough on the kids and I hope they never feel that they were not living for. Suicide will forever be a soft spot in my heart. Rest in Peace, Robert.
Obituary
Robert Sage Dilgard was born September 7, 1986 in Conifer,
Colorado and continued on his journey to eternal paradise on May 9,
2021.
Robert grew up in the north end of Boise and attended Taft
Elementary, Hillside Junior High and graduated from Boise High School in
2005. In Robert’s elementary and teenage years, he was a dynamic
athlete known for his passionate and competitive spirit. He played
every game with heart and tenacity. Some of his fondest moments were
spent in the Sawtooth mountains, at Red fish lake, biking the trails of
the Boise foothills and swimming at Lowell pool.
He served the people of the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission from
2006-2008 where he selflessly devoted his life to serve God and his
children. During his service in South America, he found extreme joy and
peace, both in his mind and in his heart. He attended BYU-Idaho, where
he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and later a Bachelors in
Nursing from Union University. He married Charity Eaton in 2009 in
Tennessee where they settled to grow their family. Charity gave birth
to their four beautiful children. He worked as a teacher and a nurse and
continued his education in advanced nursing practice.
Robert was a creative, hardworking, funny, animated, talented,
dedicated, energetic, artistic, loving, genuine, humble, open-minded
person. More than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his four
beautiful children. Music was how Robert loved to express himself and
he enjoyed writing songs and playing music on his guitar. His passion
was evident whenever he played. Robert was an incredibly intelligent man
and excelled in all arenas.
Robert was a true example of unconditional love and always
provided an environment of acceptance. He was fond of the saying, “Today
let us have compassion and allow others their limitations without
judgment.” We know that Robert is at peace and will continue his
mission in the next life where he will be whole again. We anticipate
the joyous reunion to come. “We are made of the stuff of eternity.
Endings are not our destiny. Endings in mortality are not endings at
all. In His plan, there are no true endings, only everlasting
beginnings.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
He is survived by his parents, Robert and Jennifer Dilgard, his
wonderful children Riley, Isabelle, Johnny, Charlie, and their mother
Charity, his sister September, brother-in-law Travis Frogley and their
five children, Keaton, Kole, Evy, Elynn, Vance, and his brother John and
his brother-in-law Patrick Kaples. He is part of a large extended
family and was loved by all who knew him. He had a gift for making
everyone feel like family wherever he went.
Robert fought a rigorous battle with mental illness and
addiction, which causes so much heartache and pain for the individual
and for those who love them. The family would like to ensure that part
of his legacy is encouraging individuals debilitated by the illnesses of
the mind, as well as their families, to get help. We encourage those
affected to seek help early and commit to honesty and transparency. We
know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the only way to overcome the
trials of this life and experience healing and hope throughout eternity.
