On March 3rd, 2015, Robert Duane “Bob” Fuhrmann was released from the darkness of his Alzheimer’s disease bondage and went on to his great reward. Born in Glasgow, Montana, 1933, Bob was the eighth of the twelve children Fred and Dorothea Fuhrmann brought into the simple, rural life of North Valley County, Montana. Bob lived a humble, happy life as a child, attending Glasgow schools until 1950 when he moved with his mother and father to Red Bluff, CA and graduated from high school. Bob and several of his high school buddies enlisted in the U.S. Army and were deployed to Korea, where Bob served as a sergeant and a surveyor in an artillery unit during combat. Bob was extremely proud of his military service, but when his enlistment ended, he eagerly headed home to Glasgow where his heart and many close family members still remained.
Back in Glasgow, Bob not only worked numerous menial jobs, but also worked to win the hand of the lovely and pure Marie Saindon, with whom, after two years of courtship, he married. They spent 58 wedded years together and had three children, Don, Randall, and Kathleen.
In January 1957, Bob began work as a surveyor on the Glen Canyon Dam and the town of Page, AZ. Bob spent hot summer days hanging hundreds of feet down the Grand Canyon walls on ropes and harnesses while Marie kept a home for them in temporary quarters. During this time, Bob earned a beloved nickname “808.” When Bob attempted to stencil his name-BOB-on his hard hat, he was met with questions and concerns from his co-workers about how he acquired the number 808. Feeling sheepish after he pointed out their mistake, his buddies continued to call him 808 as his children did to the end of his days.
Feeling a longing for home, Bob and Marie moved back to Glasgow, and Bob searched for gainful employment through the local MT State Job Service office. When his testing and interviewing skills demonstrated a high aptitude for management and training, he was offered a position with the Job Services office instead of being referred out. He took the Job Service position and began a career in the Montana Department of Labor which lasted over thirty years. Bob’s abilities led to a series of promotions and transfers, which ranged from two years in Havre to eight years in Billings. Bob excelled in the local job service office and earned the post as manager of the Youth Opportunity Center.
While in Billings, Bob became active in the local chapter of the American Legion and eventually served as Yellowstone Post Commander. He especially loved overseeing American Legion Baseball and took his boys to numerous Legion baseball games at Cobb Field in Billings. Bob even hosted Major League Baseball star, Dave McNally, a Billings American Legion team alum, for a packed house meet and greet and autograph signing. Bob excelled at leadership and enjoyed working with youth. He combined these passions and his love for the outdoors as he rose to the level of troop leader for Billings Boy Scout Post #4.
Bob was offered another promotion, this time to the central office in Helena as a manpower training specialist. The Fuhrmann’s moved their fledgling family to Helena where they established a stable, loving household. Bob and Marie both ended up working tirelessly as public servants, offering their labor honestly and willingly as devoted government employees. Bob always saw his public employment work as important and gave of himself generously. His frequent encouragement to his children was to give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wages. This, he said, would allow one to rest well at night.
Bob worked his way to Bureau Chief in the state department of Labor, establishing himself as a gifted manager and administrator. Many people who worked for him praised his leadership style and appreciated his approach to supervising. Upon his retirement, the Department of Labor established the Bob Fuhrmann award, which was given annually to the employee who most exemplified the qualities of leadership, integrity and public service, which Bob embodied throughout his career.
The motivation for Bob’s retirement at the spry age of 55 was the birth of his first grandchild, Corinne. Two grandsons, Adam and Nicholas, followed. In 2012, Bob’s first great-grandchild, Heath, was born. Even with the advanced onset of his disease, Bob still delighted in babies and toddlers. Heath was no exception and became the third generation of Bob’s “kids” to be held, rocked, and talked to in his giggle-inducing Donald Duck voice lavished with great-grandpa Bob’s gentle, loving adoration.
Prior to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Bob and Marie were able to move to the warm climate of Sun City, AZ and enjoy numerous years of travel including the US Heritage tour, New England, Disney World and Disneyland with children and grandchildren.
In 2002, Bob and Marie moved back to Helena to be closer to family. It was important for Bob to build Marie the house of her dreams. Bob loved gardening, woodworking, fishing and tinkering. He was handy and proficient with household maintenance, remodeling and redecorating. He loved craft projects and creating things of beauty. Whether he was making jewelry, crafting cabinetry, building furniture or fabricating the numerous items that have sold through the annual Presbyterian Church bazaar, Bob exuded an infectious good-nature and gratitude toward life. Bob’s life was the embodiment of a “glass-half-full.” Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Ewing, Helena, MT 59601.
Bob is survived by his wife Marie Saindon Fuhrmann; children Donald Edward Fuhrmann, Randall Roy Fuhrmann and wife Renee’ Driessen, Tim and Kathleen (Fuhrmann) Gazy; grandchildren Corinne Hoberecht Todd and husband Ryan Todd, Adam Hoberecht, and Nicholas Traynor; great grandson Heath Paul Ranier Todd; brother Jerome Fuhrmann, and sisters Lafern (Fuhrmann) Reed and Betty (Fuhrmann) Watson as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service celebrating Bob’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 16th at the First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Ewing Street in Helena. A reception will follow the memorial service in the social center of the church. Burial with Military Honors will follow the reception at 2:00 p.m. at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m
Monday March 16, 2015
First Presbyterian Chruch
535 N Ewing St
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately Following Service
Monday March 16, 2015
First Presbyterian Chruch
535 N Ewing St
Helena , Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
2:oo p.m.
Monday March 16, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison , Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m
Monday March 16, 2015
First Presbyterian Chruch
535 N Ewing St
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately Following Service
Monday March 16, 2015
First Presbyterian Chruch
535 N Ewing St
Helena , Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
2:oo p.m.
Monday March 16, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison , Montana
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sherrie bertrand says
Sorry for your loss. Bob was a great man
Ed Campbell says
The FUHRMANNs were an icon at the CAMPBELL’s house on the weekends during the 70s. Coming home in the evenings on a Friday or Saturday night I could only expect my folks with the FUHRMANNs playing cards and having fun.
Cindy Burner Erickson says
Aunt Marie and the entire Fuhrmann Family – We were so sorry to hear of Uncle Bob’s passing. We just wanted to let you know you are all in our thoughts and our prayers at this time and always! With much love – Cindy Erickson, Jess and Cody Fuhrman
Lynn Long says
When T Gary and Mark called me last night to let me know I had a long cry. I hope you know how instrumental Bob was to my life and my working career. He was a person God put in my path to direct 30 years of my life. He was like a surrogate Dad to me when I needed one most. Someone who was my protector, encourager, champion, mentor, wise sage. I know I’ll see him again in heaven someday. So sorry for your loss. Love, Lynn
Cathy Kaiser says
Great picture! This is just how I remember him! Love to the Fuhrmann family as our two Dads drink a beer together in heaven while looking down at their families until we can all be together again!
Rusty Harper says
I knew Bob Fuhrmann both as father of my brother-in-law and as a bureau chief in the Montana Job Service, in charge of half the Job Service offices in the state. I had the privilege of subbing for him for a brief time. I forget why he was out, but I was appointed as the temporary bureau chief until his return.
In talking with the different offices across the state, I discovered that Bob was loved by the people he supervised. I say “loved”, far beyond respect, because he always treated people kindly and fairly, while still insisting on excellent public service.
His mantra was “Plan your work and work your plan.” That is what his offices and employees did. It wasn’t just the planning and the working that succeeded; it was his pervading sense that what we were doing to help people find jobs and all the other services provided by the Job Service were very important and the people we served were very important. It was a simple belief that was contagious.
Jack boston says
Bob Fuhrmann was both my friend and my mentor. Bob started in Havre in57 I started in glasgow in 58. When ever we were called into Helena for training I would borrow my Dad’s volkswagon pick Bob up at Havre and then we would race cars thru the wolf creek canyon. They would out run us on the straight stretches but we would beat them when we came to all the sneaky curves. On one trip we got Helena and they had cancelled the training because of a strike in Butte so we went there and processed the claims for Unemployment. At one point Bob and myself and others were sent to Missoula to attend the univ of Mt to take courses so we could counsel people in our local offices. I only had a high school education and a poor one at that but Bob literally took me under his wing and taught me the ropes. None of us had any money and about 4 of us were in one motel room. I bought a dart board and darts we put cardboard on the door and who ever lost would have to buy the pie. I didn’t cook but Bob and the others loved to cook so i became the official dish washer.We really had a great time. Bob’s brother Cletus and his wife gloria were also very good friends of ours. We miss them all. Our thoughts and prayers to Marie and family.
God Bless Jack and Sharon Boston Bozeman , Mt.
Ed Noonan says
The depth of the love and faithfulness of
Bob is alive in Marie and his beautiful children. He leaves great blessings with us.
Ed Noonan
Corey and Heidi says
Our thoughts and prayers to your entire family. Bob will live on in the incredible children and grandchildren. I have heard so much about him from Kathleen, I wish we had gotten to know him better.
Mark Thurman says
So sorry to hear about your Father’s passing, Randy. I lost mine just a couple of years ago to Prostate Cancer, definitely before his time. My prayers are with you and your family.
Steve Hermes says
Thinking of you Randy and the great gift of a person you are. I can only assume that your father’s influence had a great deal to do with that. My prayers for you and your family.
Deb Chouinard says
I didn’t have the honor of working for Bob, but I did have the opportunity to get to know him a little bit. During his annual holiday visit to Central office, he would gift us with a new ornament for the office tree. At the Helena Job Service, we also have some of the clothespin soldiers he made, that grace our tree every year. I know that Bob was held in the highest esteem by many, and was loved by many more. My thanks to him for all did in for our Job Service family. My deepest sympathies to Marie and the rest of his family. Hold the good memories close until you meet again.