Robert Edward Rhien

Robert E. Rhien , 90, died October 12, 2015, in his home in Farmington, New Mexico. His wife of 69 years, Maxine, and four children were with him. Bob was born to John Otto Rhien and Anna Belle Jones on March 4, 1925 in Santa Cruz, California.
Bob joined the US Navy at age 17; at age 18 he served in the South Pacific on a mine sweeper during WWII. After the war ended, he was assigned to Navy officer training at the University of New Mexico where he received his BA in business. His Navy service spanned 16 years, the last of those years being service in the Navy Reserves. While at UNM, Bob met Maxine Webb. They were married April 26, 1946, in Farmington, New Mexico, and made Farmington home in 1948. It would be home for them for the next 67 years. Bob became manager/owner of Farmington Oil Company and Smoak Chevrolet after joining Maxine's father, Perry Smoak, in his businesses.
He was dedicated to community, church and family. His service to this community included active membership in the Masons, the Shriners, as well as serving as a volunteer fireman for many years. He was a director of Citizens Bank for 25 years, a member of the Farmington School Board for six years, serving as president for some of those years. He was a board member of San Juan College, also serving as president of that board. He was a founding member of the San Juan College Foundation, serving as its first president. Active in Boy Scouts since his youth, he was a Cubmaster, a Scoutmaster and a Seascout Skipper. He received his Sliver Beaver award in 1972. Bob was a volunteer fire fighter in Farmington for several years.
Bob was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many leadership positions. He and Maxine have served three fulltime missions together: the Rapid City, South Dakota Mission, the Wellington, New Zealand Mission, and the Southwest Region Mission. Together they also served at the Bishop's storehouse and the Albuquerque Temple.
Most important to Bob was his family and involvement in all his children's and grandchildren's lives. Bob was a master wood worker, and was never without a "project." He was also never without a joke. He loved the water, boats and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine, his four children and their spouses, Ann (Larry ) Palmer, Robert (Becky)Rhien, Nancy Rhien (Kenny Turner), and Scott (Earlene) Rhien, 19 grandchildren, and 43 great-grandchildren, and Jasper.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on College Boulevard. Visitation will be on Friday, October 16, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home from 6-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the San Juan College Foundation. Bob's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St., Farmiungton, (505) 325-8688.