- Date Of Birth: January 1, 1990
- Date Of Death: September 21, 2011
- State: Idaho
1 Corinthians 10:13 B
“…and God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand under it.”
Specialist Robert E. Dyas, 21 of Nampa, gave his life for us on September 21, 2011 in Afghanistan.
Our boy was born on a glorious day, January 24, 1990 in Caldwell, Idaho to Melissa (Jerry) Nowland of Nampa and Bob (Darci) Dyas of Meridian. Robert was his own individual from day one. He was blessed to be raised by his step-dad, Jerry Nowland. From 6 months on, Robert was blessed to begin a father/son relationship with the man who would cultivate and encourage Robert’s love of the great outdoors; especially hunting and fishing. Robert said that he drew daily on the hunting instincts taught to him by Jerry. This relationship formed the basis of Robert’s loving character with everything he came into contact with.
Robert was reared and educated in Nampa where he blossomed into the outstanding young man we lost. He attended schools, elementary through high school in Nampa, where he played baseball starting with T-Ball on up through Skyview High School. He also played golf in high school where he was blessed to have our mayor, Tom Dale, as his mentor. Robert earned his GED with the help from Sgt. Jesse Shaeffer. Rob took night classes to become an electrician, and by day was an apprentice for Blue Arc Electric (Thank you, John Hayes).
Robert enlisted into the United States Army on January 22, 2009. We learned later that he had asked to be put on the “fast track”. We’re sure it was so he wouldn’t have time to change his mind. Robert reported to all of his stations starting with boot camp at Ft. Benning, GA, completing it April 8, 2009; then to Army Intense Training at Ft. Sill, OK; and finally to his assigned base in Ft. Riley, KS. It was from there that Robert was deployed with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor 1 BCT to Afghanistan on April 12, 2010.
Robert had a sense of humor unlike any other. No matter who he was around, he could make you cry from laughing. He loved the classic hot-rod cars and had just purchased a 1966 Pontiac LeMans on EBay. We intend to fully restore it in Rob’s honor.
Robert was in a relationship with his love, Kasey Kobelt, and they had plans to be married and start a life together after he was discharged from the Army. They will forever be married to us.
Robert is survived by his mother, Melissa (Jerry) Nowland; father, Bob (Darci) Dyas; sisters, Misty Pokorney, Nikole Holmes, Victoria Nowland and Aubrey Dyas; brother, Jake Nowland; fiancée, Kasey Kobelt; maternal grandfather, Jim (Lynn) Doolittle; paternal grandmother, Vicki Dyas; paternal grandfather, LeRoy (Kim) Dyas; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Wanda G. Doolittle and Bernice Dyas.
Robert was raised in a blended family, but it was not discernible the fact his siblings were half or step siblings, such was the connection among them all. What a blessing! Robert had a super special relationship that only brothers do, with Jake. He is Jake’s idol. Rob, of course, had the brotherly protection of his sister, Victoria, encouraging her to achieve her diploma. A special relationship was built between Robert and Nikole with the mutual military lives they had in common. Robert looked up to Niki. Rob gathered Misty up in his life, like they had never been apart and he was looking forward to being a big part of his little sister, Aubrey’s life when he was discharged. We are all excited to have her in our lives. The biggest connection Rob had was with Jerry; oh, the plans they had to hunt and fish and camp…Robert loved to do it all!
