Robert “Bob” Glenn King, 80, of Helena, Montana, passed away due to cancer, on November 6th, surrounded by his family. Dad was a true believer in his family, friends and his country.
Bob was born the second of three children, on March 1, 1936 in Rock Island, Illinois to Samuel August and Florence Mary (Kessel) King. He was raised in Wilton, Iowa where the family ran a gas station and raised produce to sell to the local grocery store. King attended schools in Wilton and graduated in 1953. After graduation Bob attended college at Muscatine Junior College, earning an Associate Degree in Elementary Education in 1955.
Bob took a job at the Iowa Mental Health Institution in Independence, Iowa. While there he, along with two Psychologists and another teacher designed and implemented a program for emotionally disturbed and mentally impaired children. In 1958, Bob volunteered for the draft and was enlisted in the Army. He served as a medic at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Bob was Honorably Discharged in 1960 and moved back to Iowa to continue school at the University of Iowa. Bob finished his schooling obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from Black Hills State Teachers College in Spearfish, South Dakota.
While serving in the Army in Denver he met Margaret Leona Rose, who would become his wife on November 24, 1962, in Lead, South Dakota. The newlyweds moved to St. Joe, Missouri where Bob worked as an Adjuster for GAB Insurance. The family moved to Columbia, Missouri and had the first of three children. From Columbia, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri where they added the second child. In 1971 Bob accepted a transfer with Fireman’s Fund Insurance, to Helena, Montana where their final child was born.
Bob and Margaret worked together as they owned and operated American Insurance Center in Helena. They sold the business in Helena and King became the Risk Manager for the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority. King left that job to work adjusting for hurricanes in Louisiana, Florida and North Carolina. He then worked in Alaska doing claims in the Eskimo Villages of Northern Alaska. On April, 16, 1995, Margaret passed away. Bob moved to Broussard, Louisiana to manage a mobile home park. This allowed him to tinker and be around all types of people.
Throughout his life Bob loved being around and helping people. He loved to work on projects and tinkering on all kinds of equipment, and he loved to have animals around him. He was member of the Helena Rotary Club, The Knights of Columbus and the Friendship Force. He returned to Helena in 2011 to be closer to his children.
Bob loved to fish, talk politics, tell stories, discuss history, travel, camp and be around his children and grandchildren. He was always quick witted and willing to offer advice to anyone that needed it. Some of his favorite places to travel were Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico and North Carolina.
King is survived by his children, Marc (Lana) King of Big Timber, Montana; Matt King of Helena; and Michelle King (Scott Klatt) of Helena; eight grandchildren, Mesa, Shayden and RaeAnna King of Big Timber; Tehl, Zane, and Austin King of Helena; and Sam and Melissa Klatt of Helena. Also surviving are his sister Mary (Jim) Hagen of Wilmington, North Carolina; brother Harold (Diane) King of Mesa, Arizona; and brother-in-law Dr. Robert (Leslie) Rose of Spokane, Washington. King was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bob King 4-H Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Montana 4-H Foundation, P.O Box 173580, Bozeman, MT 59717.
The family wishes to say thank you to all the wonderful St. Peter’s Hospice staff, especially Angie, Cody, Karissa, Kim, and Mickie, who helped with Bob during his last months on Earth. Also, a big thanks to all the special visitors who brought sunshine and warmth to Bob.
Most who knew Bob knew that he liked to say, “Never give up, Never quit learning, and Work hard every day that you are able.”
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 9th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 10th at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Road. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will follow burial in the fellowship hall of Our Lady of the Valley.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Bob.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 9, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Thursday November 10, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following Mass
Thursday November 10, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following burial
Thursday November 10, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Raod
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 9, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Thursday November 10, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following Mass
Thursday November 10, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following burial
Thursday November 10, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Raod
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Ron Iverson says
To the King family. I enjoyed many moments of pleasure in dealing with Bob while he was in the insurance business. He was a good and honorable man and will surely be missed. He always had the “Bob King smile” when we did some business together, which made it a pleasure to deal with him and Margaret.
Roger Stone says
Very much enjoyed getting to know Bob (and family) through Bob’s Story Keeper recording. A life well lived with a strong legacy in his family.
Tony and Teri Kolnik says
We enjoyed getting to know Bob during our visits to his daughter Michelle and Scott and the children, and he became a good friend to us over the years. He had a keen intellect and never lost his interest in world events when he became less mobile. Family was clearly the most important part of his life, however. We will miss him.
Eric Terradot says
We met Mr. Bob while he was here in Broussard, La. and he quickly became like one of the family. He was well known for helping out many people in need and he truly enjoyed doing for others! We enjoyed many evenings drinking brandy, smoking cigars and discussing politics and current events. To the King family, Mr. Bob will be sorely missed and please know that you all are in our prayers….The Terradots.
Wilma Bennett Tabaracci says
Marc, Matt and Michelle,
I was saddened to hear of your dad’s death. Memories of the time she our families shared flooded my mind. Your parents were always kind and so jovial. Your dad was that quiet giant in our home. Prayers to all of you…now the dancing and card games will be in full swing up above?
Dick & Mary Ann Duffy says
Marc, Matt &Michelle – Dick & I have wonderful memories of Bob & Margaret. The were good people Margaret worked hard with Dick at founding theHolter Museum of Art.We sendour deepest symphony from Edmonds, Washington Our newest home)God bless you all.
Cindy Logan says
Prayers to you on the loss of your father. He was a great mentor to me when I worked in the insurance industry and also a wonderful encouragement to me when I decided to leave that industry after 20 years. He was a very wise man and always kind to all that crossed his path. I was very honored to have known him. He had a way of making you feel special when ever he talked with you and made you feel like he gave all of his attention to any conversation a person had with him. Enjoy your memories and know that he touched several peoples lives in a very positive way.
Joyce and Mike Krings says
Michelle and family: If you remember, I had the honor and privilege of talking and praying with you over the phone and then doing the same with Bob. I hope I was some help and consolation. As a general rule, most of us are unable to discuss death, even though we all have to go through our own. As each of you said your good bye, he was saying good bye to each of you. The pains of death are the birth pains of being born again into everlasting life with our Lord and God. I am convinced the angels and saints created nd welcomed him into the land of the living for eternity. As our Lord was joyfully welcoming him home, at the same time He has been side by side with each of you, mourning with you his departure from our family on earth. We truly are always in the presence of God. Our prayer for you is that all your memories of Bob, Margaret, and each of you always be filled with Love, Joy, Peace and contentment. God Bless you all.
David King says
Michelle & family, We shared several wonderful visits with Bob in Broussard. His open door policy, guidance/counseling, always ready with a helping hand to anyone in need at any time day or night, was his way of life. We cherish those times together with great discussions, on politics, family and the history he so loved of Louisiana. His strong faith, character, wit, love of country and family will be missed. May your loving memories sustain you at this time. We send our deepest sympathy.
David & Margaret King
Renee Reed says
Bob was a very special person. He was always willing to lend a hand an ear. I had the pleasure of meeting his children one summer a few years ago and it was obvious that each of them inherited his legacy of kindness. He will always have a special place in my heart and will be sorely missed.
Renee Reed
Lee zeringue says
Lived in the trailer park he managed in Broussard, he was always such a sweet man to me and my momma. Always chatted and had such wise words, may he rest in peace.