Robert Gilkey
January 30, 1931 - June 08, 2020
Obituary
Robert “Bob” Lauren Gilkey was born January 30, 1931 and was called to be with Jesus on June 8, 2020. Bob is survived by his wife Myra “Bebe”, his children Kraig (Tina), Karmal (Mark) and Marina (Dean), nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He suffered from Alzheimer's and had been in care in Billings. Bob was born and raised on the family farm in Bear Springs Montana, attended the local one-room school and then High School in Denton Montana. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denton. A life long passion was horses and cowboying. He was a gifted stockman. He met Bebe while she taught at that same one-room school and were married on December 26, 1951. They rented a farm in Melville Montana when Kraig was born. Bob, gifted with things mechanical, worked as a Ford tractor mechanic in Great Falls Montana and then worked on a ranch near Hobson Montana when Karmal was born. They moved to the Portland Oregon area to work in the paper mills before returning to ranch in Hobson, where Marina was born (actually in Great Falls!) Bob was an early developer of modern confined swine production in Montana and many other ambitious agriculture practices. Bob and Bebe moved to Three Forks Montana to farm in 1980. While there Bob suffered a bad truck accident followed by long recovery and retirement. In retirement, Bob was active with Bebe in the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Belgrade Montana and traveled throughout the west and Mexico with MMAP (mobile missionary assistance program) working as volunteers on church related building projects. Bob was an avid machinist and welder and built many things over an innovative lifetime. His life touched family, friends and neighbors. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Aleta and his brother Lloyd. There will be a graveside service for Bob at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Bozeman, Friday, June 12, 2020 at 1:00 pm. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapels Billings-Bozeman and memories may be shared at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com
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Memories
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randal halvorson
Other •
our thoughts and prayers are with the family
DB
Donna Bruce
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Dear Bebe and family, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Bob. He was such a jovial fellow. We have missed you both here at WyndStone. Hope you have been enjoying your new homes. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.........John and Donna Bruce
TM
Tom Moe
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Back in the early 1970s I was building a swine confinement facility south of Lewistown and met Bob through Montana Pork Producers. He was very helpful to me and great mentor for the pork producing business and a valuable member of MPP. I remember touring his facility and marveling at some of his ingenuity and engineering. I especially remember his use of oilfield sucker rod for making pens. I do remember his big personality and jovial spirit as well. I regret losing track of him over the years and wish I could have seen him again. Best wishes to the family. Tom Moe, Bozeman, MT
MZ
Mike & Pat Zackus
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Bebe and family, don't know if you remember us, but we sure remember Bob and you. We always thought a lot of you both. We are sorry to hear of Bob's passing, but know we will see him again. He is now at peace in the arms of Jesus and has his mind back and new. We hope you are well. Mike & Pat Zackus
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Sandra Schmidt~Pepos
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Bebe and family~ My mom is Cheri Mossey Schmidt and Bob's first cousin. We are sending our thoughts and prayers during this time. In October we were in Billings (our daughter attends Rocky and had a choral concert), mom was with us and she had a visit after many years with Bebe and then the following day with Bob. It had been a few years since they had seen each other. My parents would stay with Bob and Bebe during tournaments in Bozeman or Three Forks and it was a great time for all of them. We will treasure the visit she had with Bob in October.
PH
patricia hodge
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What I remember from years ago when your family was in Hobson and you "kids" were in school was Bob's wonderful laugh at some school event. It was contagious. Hard to believe it was so long ago. Prayers and sympathy to your family. Pat Hodge