Bob
Kalbfleisch, 86, a beloved, good humored and
generous lifelong Shelby farmer, rancher, and businessman, passed away February
15, 2009 at his home, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be
on Friday, February 20, 2009 at 11:00 am at the
Community United Methodist church
in Shelby . Whitted Funeral Chapel of Shelby is in charge of arrangements.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the Toole County Education
Foundation. Condolences for the family may be sent to
www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.
He is survived by his daughter, Kate (Clayton ) Davis of Shelby, son, Norm and his partner Neil of Portland Oregon; step son James (Anne) Williamson of Kalispell; a brother, James (Virginia) Kalbfleisch of Dunkirk; sisters, Sally Peters of Brentwood, California, and Jackie Murphy of Cut Bank. Also surviving Bob are his beloved grandchildren, Erin (Robbie) Paul, Ryan (Andrea) Davis, Justin Stimac, Kelsey Davis, Kim (Mark) Martinson, and James C (Melanie) Williamson; great-grandchildren Elizabeth Vivian Paul, Coleman James Davis, and Colby Robert Paul, and numerous extended family members. Joann Rugg of Pendleton, OR , a close friend, will miss him dearly.
His parents; wife of fifty years, Vivian; a son, Bobby; sister, Genore; and brother, Rae preceded him in death.
Bob was born January 7, 1923 to Norman Paul and Virginia (Johnson) Kalbfleisch. He joined the Navy in 1942 and graduated from the Pensacola Naval Academy as a anti-submarine pilot and was attached to the Cue 65 carrier when World War II ended.
Bob and Vivian were married on January 19, 1952 in Cut Bank. Together they farmed and ranched east of Shelby . Over the years he was a jockey, crop duster, owned the ViBo Mobil Oil Service Station, the Homesteader Restaurant and Bar, the Capitol Cafe in Shelby, the CinchRing roping arena with other local businessmen and a home construction business. His interests included golf, breeding and racing thoroughbred and quarter horses, a brief stint at raising buffalo, and training his dog Otto. Bob was an ardent conservationist and supported many state and national conservation organizations. He served as Chairman of the Montana State Horse Racing commission, was a lifelong Democrat, a 4-H leader, a board member of the Community Methodist Church , and the Shelby Elks Lodge. He was a charter member of the Shelby early morning coffee association. Later in life Bob and Vivian spent their winters in Indio , California .
Vivian and Bob defined family in the broadest of terms. Bob’s greatest enjoyment came from his family - particularly his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had a very charismatic personality, everywhere he went he made new friends, had a story to tell with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He was very much loved and will be missed by his family and friends.