Robert Leaning Ashworth, 93, died Dec. 28 at his son’s home in Boise, Idaho, only a few miles from his birthplace. Bob recently expressed satisfaction that his life would likely end so near where it begun.

He was born on Aug. 23, 1914, to the Rev. Thomas and Ella Ashworth. The family lived on a small farm near Payette, Idaho, where the Rev. Ashworth was for many years the rector of St. James Episcopal Church. Perhaps Bob’s fondest memories sprang from his experiences growing up in Southern Idaho.

In 1929, the Rev. Ashworth assumed new duties in Butte, Mont., as the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Bob moved there with his family and graduated from Butte High School in 1932.

Bob entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1934. He graduated in 1938 and began a 30-year career as an Army officer.

His assignments included World War II service as a battalion commander with the 17th Airborne Division in Europe and as the commanding general of the Headquarters Area Command in Vietnam. Bob also served overseas in Panama, Pakistan and Korea. His stateside assignments included command of units of the 2nd Infantry, 3rd Infantry, 82nd Airborne and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well as two assignments to the Pentagon on the Department of the Army staff, a tour as the U.S. Military Academy Chief of Staff, and assignments as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Infantry Training Centers at Ft. Jackson. S.C., and Ft. Lewis. Bob retired from active service in 1968 as a brigadier general.

Shortly after World War II, one of Bob’s assignments took him to Ft. Jackson, S.C. on temporary duty. It was there that he met Betty Lea Harper, an army captain and nurse assigned to the post hospital.

Bob and Betty married in 1947. Their partnership lasted more than 51 years, ending with Betty’s death in 1998, and produced two children, Robert L. Ashworth, Jr. of Boise and Geoffrey Hugh Ashworth of Wilton, Conn.

Following his retirement from the Army, Bob and Betty resided for a short time in Columbia, S.C., where he worked for the South Carolina state government. After Bob retired a second time in 1975, the couple moved to Whidbey Island. Bob lived there in his home near Coupeville among many close friends for more than 30 years before joining Bob, Jr. in Boise.

Bob was particularly devoted to his family and friends, to his country, to the U.S. Army, and to the U.S. Military Academy. He established innumerable enduring friendships during his lifetime and will forever be remembered for his selflessness, keen insight, droll humor, generosity and willingness to tackle virtually any job and see it through.

His interests and talents were vast and earned him the family nickname, “Maestro” as tribute simply because there were so few things he could not do.

Bob is survived by two sons; a brother, the Rev. Geoffrey W. Ashworth of Beaverton, Ore.; two daughters-in-law, both named Lynn; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration be given to a contribution in Bob’s memory to any of three charities; the West Point Fund, West Point Association of Graduates, West Point, NY 10996-1607; Army Emergency Relief, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-0600; or the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Mail Stop J5-200, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024.

Arrangements by Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel.