Templin Helped Put Pf On Map

Two visionaries have had a profound effect on Post Falls - Frederick Post, the German immigrant who lent his name to Idaho’s biggest little town, and Bob Templin, the entrepreneur who refused to retire 13 years ago after his Coeur d’Alene resort was seized from him.

Circumstances forced both men to relocate near the Spokane River falls, where they prospered. The sawmill Post built sparked commerce and trade. The resort Templin constructed, on the land Post bought from the Coeur d’Alene Indians a century ago, energized his adopted town.

It’s hard to imagine Post Falls today without Bob Templin. Or Coeur d’Alene, for that matter. The vision that prompted him to establish waterfront resorts in both towns has guided growth and spawned a vibrant local tourism industry.

On Sunday, Templin was honored for his 50 years as an Idaho businessman by hundreds of community well-wishers, past and present employees, family and wife Mary. We join them in saluting Mr. Hospitality.

Bob Templin could have retired a wealthy man in 1983 with the money he made during businessman Duane Hagadone’s hostile takeover of the old North Shore Hotel, the forerunner of the impressive Coeur d’Alene Resort. A non-competing clause blocked him from competing with any of Hagadone’s hospitality enterprises in the area, except in his hometown, sleepy Post Falls.

At 63 Templin went back to work.

First, he built his resort; then, he lobbied city officials and the Idaho Board of Transportation to construct a full Interstate 90 interchange at Spokane Street, the entrance to his resort and Post Falls’ far-flung business core. Next, he marketed Post Falls as the Idaho community with the largest population base within a 35-mile radius - larger even than the Boise-Nampa corridor.

The campaign attracted the Factory Outlet mall. And much more.

Yet, Templin is more than a visionary and risk-taker. He’s a compassionate man who treats his employees, community and customers well.

His graciousness never was more evident than after the untimely death of longtime Post Falls Clerk Marilyn Fehling four years ago. Templin donated rooms to Fehling’s 11 siblings and parents and let grieving family members and friends use his banquet hall - without charge.

For his half century of success and devotion to North Idaho, we say to Bob Templin: Well done.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria/For the editorial board