Archie Vap

Born on January 22, 1924 to Frank T. and Cecilia H. (Karmazin) Vap in Spring Ranch, NE Archie received last rites and joined his Lord three days after turning 87 on January 25, 2011. He was surrounded by his loving family in his final hours. Archie grew up in Hastings, NE, the oldest of five children. He graduated from St. Cecilia High School in 1941. When his basketball honed slow heart rate rendered him 4F for service in the military, he chose to continue his education and basketball at Hastings College. At 64”, a relative giant of the times, he set many scoring records and lead his team to the collegiate tourney in Kansas City. Following college, he extended his basketball career with a stint in the Professional Basketball League of America with the Springfield Squires, some time with the Sheridan Exporters and later with the Stockman All Stars in Billings. While at Hastings College, Archie met his future wife and the mother of his four children, Phyllis Anderson. They married on September 1, 1948. They moved to Billings to establish their first home. In Billings, Archie held a variety of jobs including time at Empire Steel, Saunders Lumber Co., and eventually he landed at Roscoe Steel and Culvert Company where his 29 years of service and dedication to the job earned him the position of Vice President. During this time, Archie held several positions in the community and beyond. He was elected President of the Montana Associated General Contractors, Chairman of the School Board at Holy Rosary Catholic School, Parish Council President at Holy Rosary, a member of the finance council at St. Thomas Parish and he was a 53-year member of the Knights of Columbus. In addition, he was a founder of the Billings Area Catholic Education Trust (BACET) ensuring a Catholic education for his children and so many more to follow. Archie instilled his work ethic, volunteerism, determination and love of sports in his children. Phyllis died on January 13, 1998. He married Betty Ferguson on September 19, 2000. Hobbies included golfing chiefly at the Yellowstone Country Club, fishing, bowling, organic gardening before its time, dancing, playing the accordion, relaxing at his cabin in Red Lodge, composing his annual Christmas letter and regularly completing the daily crossword. He is survived by his wife, Betty Vap of Billings; his three daughters and spouses Susan Vap and Jake Jacobsen of Boise, Idaho, Teresa Lechner of Pompeys Pillar, MT: Kitty and Bob Campagna of Silverdale, WA; his son and wife Dennis and Sue Vap of Billings; his seven grandchildren Amanda and Jessica Lechner of Billings; Cecilia Campagna of Seattle, WA, Michelle and Stephanie Campagna of Silverdale, WA; and Cody and Dustin Vap of Billings; his three brothers and spouses Monsignor Ivan Vap of Hastings, NE; Gerald and Pam Vap of Papillion, NE; and Dan and Linda Vap of Missoula, MT; and his sister Patricia Manning of Colorado Springs, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Phyllis, his son-in-law Dan (Bruno) Lechner and his sister Joan Pallas. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to BACET, P.O. Box 31158, Billings, MT 59107 or the Billings Food Bank 2112 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101. Service: The rosary will be recited at Dahl Funeral Chapel, Friday, January 28 at 7 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Saturday, January 29 at 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Rite of Committal in Holy Cross Cemetery. The Mass will be celebrated by Archies brother, Monsignor Ivan Vap.