Robert Norman Gilbert (Bob) was born on October 23, 1945, in Miles City, Montana, the fifth of six children of his parents, Arthur M. Gilbert and Irene Mary Gilbert. Bob’s birth date was also his mother’s 40th birthday. Bob went to heaven on June 12, 2023, after a nearly three-year deterioration from a traumatic brain injury he incurred in a fall.
After graduation from Park County High School(Livingston) in 1963, Bob attended Miles Community College then the University of Montana where he lacked one semester for a degree. He quit when they told him a foreign language was required.
Bob worked summers in Harlowton, Montana, on the Milwaukee Railroad in jobs as Electrician Apprentice, Round House Clerk, Laborer, and in the car department at both Harlowton and Miles City. As a result of his love of trains, Bob had many model railroad cars and power units from N gauge to Garden Railroad. He always dreamed of owning his own private railroad business car to hook onto Amtrak.
Bob had many memories of working 1967-1970 as a newsman and disc jockey for KATL in Miles City. In November 1970 he took a disc jockey-newsman job at radio station KBLL in Helena and started his television career as anchor for the six and ten o’clock newscasts. For several legislative sessions, Bob conducted interviews with State of Montana officials, Governors, and members of the Legislature on CNN headline news twice an hour 24 hours a day. As the cable TV live programs matured, he was on CNN Headline News in all the major cities of Montana and a few smaller markets. For 43 years Bob was a one-day guest disc jockey at KIKC, Forsyth-Miles City, playing his collection of golden oldies on the 45-rpm format, of which he had a vast collection.
Bob never knew a stranger. Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed socializing with his friends at various bars. While in Miles City, Bob frequented the 600 Lounge, owned by his brother-in-law Gardner Grenz. In Helena, it was Haps. In 1997, Bob invested in the popular Bar-Casino-Poker-Room-Liquor Store in Helena called Nickels. He took over active management three years later.
Bob had many interests including collecting cars, model cars, juke boxes, antique slot machines, 45 rpm records and CD’s, pistols, and rifles. At one time Bob had 27 cars, and he attended many car shows around the state and out-of-state, including Good Guys at Spokane and the show at Salmon, Idaho. He lamented selling his first car, a 1967 Plymouth Roadrunner, which he bought new in Miles City. It was the first Roadrunner in the town. He always remembered the fun and memories he had driving the Roadrunner in 1967-1968.
Uncle Oscar left Bob his Silver Gate, Montana, cabin that Oscar and his brothers built in 1936. Bob added another sleeping cabin in 1997. The cabin was a family vacation destination, dating back to Bob’s birth in 1945. Bob enjoyed entertaining friends and spending time listening to the winds whispering through the pine trees and to the babbling of Soda Butte Creek.
Bob was a member of the Royal Order of Raccoons, serving as Grand Poo-Pah. Bob was a member of the Elks, Eagles, the Moose, the Shriners, the National Trappers Association, the Montana Society of Broadcasters, and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
For nearly 33 years, Bob was Secretary-Treasurer of the Montana Wool Growers Association, earning the coveted American Sheep Industry “Camptender” Award in 2005. During the legislature, Bob represented the Woolgrowers, the Montana Dairy Farmers, and Northwest Farm Credit. He provided “Got Milk” T-shirts for the bazookas at University of Montana home games.
In 1992, Bob met and started dating Great Falls Attorney, Susan J. Rebeck, who became his partner in 1998. They were married in Billings, Montana, on September 27, 2008. Susie says, “Bob would have married me sooner, but I wouldn’t take his last name because I was already established as a prominent Montana professional.”
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Irene; sister, Barbara (Gardner) Grenz, and infant siblings, Marlene and Arthur; Aunts, Alice (Joe) Lindeberg and Margaret Gilbert; Uncles, Oscar Gilbert and Morton Gilbert; and Nephews, Paul Grenz, Greg Mitchell, and Jeff Mitchell. Bob’s teacup Shih-Tzu, Ping, who died on April 8, 2023, was the love of his life and constant companion.
Bob is survived by his wife, Susan J. Rebeck, stepdaughter, Stephanie E. Hagerman, granddaughter, Isabelle E. Thomas, all of Helena; sisters Marilyn I. (Charles) Pratt and Margaret L. (Dick) Mitchell, of Billings; nieces, Stacie Hicks, Kimberley (Andy) Meyer, and Cheri L. Grenz, all of Billings; Nephew, Dick (Nancy) Mitchell, Jr. of Miles City; and stepsons Geno Kreis of Bozeman and Andrew Kreis of Seattle.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Avenue, Helena. A Wake will follow at Nickels, 2100 North Last Chance Gulch in Helena. Bob said, “the drinks are on me.” A warehouse tour will be held the same day at 10:00 am, at 1410 Birch St., Helena.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Montana Woolgrower Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 1693, Helena, MT 59624.
Glenda Grover says
Suzie and family, So heart breaking to hear of your loss. Bob was a wonderful friend to all. Hope he’s having a cold one with Al. RIP my friend.
Jim and Sally says
So sorry to hear about Bob. He was one terrific man. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you..
Hartley Herndon says
Was saddened to hear of Bob passing. He was a good friend since childhood. We would have a beer and talk about old times. He will be missed. Sorry for your loss.
Joanne says
Susie…So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Sending healing thoughts and prayers to you and the family….Bill Holmes and Joanne
JOHN POPPE says
Susie And Family, I’m So Sorry To Hear Of Bob’s Passing, What A Great Gentleman And Friend, I Have Many Great Memories, Going To The Cabin In Siver Gate, Nickels Jackpot Bowling Trips, Golf Tournements At Fox Ridge, The COLD BEERS AT NICKELS WITH BOB, AL, BRENT, THE GENERAL, Kas, Judy, ETC… My Thoughts And Prayers Are With You All.
Peggy Kelley says
Bob was an icon in the sheep industry. You couldn’t ask for a more loyal and respected friend.
Rita says
Susie so sorry for your loss. Will miss him, but Cas is having a drink as we speak, as well as Allen and many many others. Prayers
Stephen Lantz says
So sorry for our loss. Bob is missed by all.
Larry Dreyer says
‘Wondered why we hadn’t seen Bob at the Montana Club. Many memories of when our Uncle, Ralph Dreyer of Circle, Montana was president of the Montana Wool Growers when we first met Bob. We remember him anchoring the local news on TV, too. Always thoughtful discussions. He will be missed by the Dreyer families.
Ken Price says
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Bob at the TV station when he did news and I did weather. Good memories of him.
Cj says
My dear Susie, so sad u have lost a wonderful partner and friend! He was such a generous and loving man! He made me laugh a lot! Bless u and family
Gena and Susan Walter says
Susie, we are so sorry to hear of Gilly”s passing. He was such a wonderful friend to our father. We will never forget spending time with him in Silver Gate and his support after the loss of our dad. Gilly lived an inspiring life, full of jovial generosity.
Bart and Shelley Freese says
Oh man. We were very sad to hear of Bob’s death. What a great fellow. While doing news for a radio station in Miles City, I always looked forward to the Woolgrowers Ram Sale and a visit from Bob. The man was generous and always fun to spend time with. Last time we saw Bob was in Helena at JB’s Big Boy (I think) and it was his birthday, so we bought him lunch. It wasn’t very often you got to pick up the tab for Bob and he only let us do it since it was his birthday. Rest in Peace Robert.
Jack Light says
Such a loss for all of Montana but especially the Woolgrowers. He was such a big help to me as I started in the radio news business forty years ago in Miles City. Bob always had time for me. Just a wonderful man. He will be missed. Big hugs to all.
Don Bartsch says
Farwell and thank you Bob,
Getting to know you in the good old days of Haps with Jim, Rich, Lenny, Art, Max, Joe, George, Bud, Bob M., The General and the rest was a treat. Working with Big Dave, Little Dave and Lance we had a lot of fun. You always gave advice some of it good. The best that I still remember was “Damn its money is just a tool, like a hammer or shovel. It’s not magical, use it like a tool and you’ll be better off.”
Remember you can’t shoot pool with a rope…..
RIP my friend.
Don Bartsch
Charlene K Gunther says
So sorry to hear that Bob passed. My husband, Terry, & I always stopped in to see him at Nickels Casino when we came to Helena. My husband & Bob had a lot in common when it came to collecting Milwaukee Railroad memorabilia. Bob was such an interesting guy and terrific host! He will be missed.
Roxianne Verworn says
My deepest sympathies to Bob’s family and friends. Our Hap’s group, the 1991 cruise to the Yucatan, Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island – So many, many years of drinks, hi-jinx, stories and laughter. Memories I will forever cherish! I hope you’re having a cocktail with Little Al, Sug, Jim, Max, Art, Lenny, Dick, Joe, Bud, Jeff, George, and the rest of our ‘gang.” Tell them all hi for me Gilly! Until we all meet again, rest in peace my dear, dear friend. You will be missed!
James Maher MD says
Bob will be sorely missed. I remain grateful for knowing him. A fine gentleman who lived life with courage and determination. My condolences to his family. You are not suffering alone.
Jim Maher
Richard Orestad says
Bob will be sorely missed as we spent our entire life enjoying each other. He would come to California when I moved there in 1969 and I would visit him in Helena when I returned there. We grew up in Miles City and knew each other from the first grade until his passing. I am so sorry for his loss.
Evy Burris Sass says
Dear Susan & Bob’s Loved ones. Bob was always a shining light, always informative, pleasant, good business man & Friendly to All. He was a good role model & advisor to me & I’m sure lots of other folks. I always looked forward to our visits during many fun filled times at HAP’s, Legislative Sessions, Car Shows & Nichols. We were both from Miles City back in the day & talked of familiar spots we remembered as kids. Well, lots of good people have gone on before us so we count our Blessings & carry on till then. God Bless Bob & my Condolences Susan & Loved Ones, Amen
Wally s Peel says
To Bob’s Family,
I am saddened by Bob’s passing. He was a good man with a kind heart, and so fun to be with. As you adjust to your loss I hope you find comfort in knowing that he is now at peace in the loving arms of his Savior.
Barbara Beeby says
Susie and family – I am sorry to hear of your beloved Bob’s passing. I hope you find peace in the coming days.
Lorena James says
Susie,
I’m sorry to hear that your partner has passed.Hugs and prayers for serenity.
Lorena
Jim Peterson says
Susie…I have fond memories of the ten years we worked together (Woolgrowers and Stockgrowers) in the Legislature, pack trips, and conventions and radio programs. We all called him “wooly Bob” as there was a second Bob Gilbert that also lobbied. He was a great friend and a great partner. I will miss him greatly.
Shelly Fagenstrom says
Susie and Steph,
We are so sorry for your loss. Though we cannot be there for the celebration of a life well lived, our hope is that your memories of a full life will sustain you through your grief. Love to you both.
Shelly and Brett