One woman tried to read her note out loud and ended up in tears:

Leonora Porter and her three children, left messages at a memorial for Robert:

Pastor George Sova spoke for the family during the service:

Robert's teacher also spoke:

Robert's father wrote a letter to him which said, in part:

Note: Melissa Jenkins also wrote a letter, I don't feel she deserves to have it remembered after what she did.

The letter that Charles wrote, was ready read by Pastor George Sova at the funeral for Robert. Before he was laid to rest, Robert's family all stood together as white Doves were released.

Robert was laid to rest on August 9, 2009. Services were held at the Cloverdale Funeral home on Sunday. There were hundreds of people there to say goodbye to Robert among them, family, friends, a contingent of the Idaho National Guard in dress uniform and many of the people who had helped search for him and held vigils for him.

Chuck Manwill held his daughter close to him as they laid her brother to rest ,saying goodbye to him at his funeral.

At his service, Robert's father released a single white Dove.

On the day of his funeral, there was another walk for Robert, only this one was to carry him to his final resting place. Robert was laid to rest next to his grandfather.

Pallbearers carried the glass encases urn which held the ashes of Robert, and placed them in front of the crowd at the service. White Doves were released after family members whispered messages for them to carry to Robert. After the service, people walked to the grave-site where Robert would be laid to rest next to his Grandfather and his halfbrother who had been stabbed to death by Charle's Manwill's ex-wife from a previous marriage.

Below is the letter from Charles to Robert:

Robert, 

You were a little light in a dark and cruel world. And you were taken from us long before your life on this earth should have ended. 

I remember before you were even born, talking to your mom on the phone late at night and she would hold the phone to her belly so I could say good night to our little sunshine. That's the way it was even before we knew that you would be a baby boy. 

You touched the lives of everyone you ever met with your exuberance for life. I would simply explain to them that you were 100 pounds of energy packed into 50 pounds of body. 

I know that you were not in any way perfect, you had your faults just like the rest of us, from that annoying in-your-face attitude to your insatiable need to add your two cents to every conversation, even when you had no idea what we were talking about. 

However, once someone met you, there was no forgetting the name Robert. Because someone was always yelling your name and telling you not to do this or not to do that. 

Later, you had such a special way of touching people's hearts in such a way it was so easy to overlook your shortcomings and love you for just being you. 

For hundreds of years, Philadelphia has been known as the 'City of Brotherly Love.' But these last two weeks have proven beyond any doubt that Boise is the City of Brotherly Love. 

You have always had a large family, Robert, both immediate and extended. But over these last two weeks your family has grown by literally thousands of people. 

I remember how when you would get into trouble or even when you simply didn't get your way, you would always claim that 'This is the worst day ever!' 

You would say this over the most minor things that were truly laughable such as actually having to finish your homework, or writing your spelling words to practice your handwriting. 

Son, July 24, 2009, was the worst day ever. 

That is the day that someone ended the beautiful little man that you were. 

My first reaction was to find the low-life SOB and make him suffer in oh so many ways for the horrible crime he perpetrated against you. 

Mom Afton holds me back and reminds me that this family can't afford to lose another member in pointless revenge. Especially since it will not bring you back to us. And we need to let the police and the FBI do their job, a job that they do well. 

We need to allow the justice system to do their job and bring the bastard to justice. 

You know, I am not a religious man. And many times I don't believe in God. But I do know and believe there is a special place in Hell for anyone who could hurt such a special little soul like you and rob the world of your shining light. 

Rest assured, Robert, that while your remains are being held close to your grandfather's chest, with your brother Michael at your side, rest assured that the police will continue to work tirelessly until they are able to bring the justice you need and make the one responsible for taking you from us ... to the maximum extent that the law will allow. 

I need you to know, Robert, we will never, ever forget the time we were allowed to know you. You were a gift, though extremely short. You will always be in our hearts.

Robert's Story
Go back to Robert's memorial page
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