Bob Black, 76, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at the VA Medical Center in Denver due to complications following cancer surgery.
Bob was born November 2, 1934 to Leo and Hazel McMillan Black.
A second generation Helenan and the grandson of area homesteaders, he was proud to call Helena home. Bob cherished his childhood memories and frequently told tales of growing up with his brothers and sisters. A favored story demonstrated his early love for the automobile. He recalled driving, at just 12 years old, a 1937 Ford to Bryant School for “show and tell” only to be told by school officials that parking was not allowed on the playground. Bob attended school with the Helena High Class of 1953.
He was a U. S. Navy veteran, having honorably served during the Korean War aboard the USS Radford as a Radarman 2nd Class Petty Officer. In 1955 he married his sweetheart, Jane Susag, and together they raised four children. Bob owned and operated Black’s Radio and TV Repair in the 1960s and went on to become a master electrician and proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union.
As an electrician, Bob, along with his family, also lived in Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon and Washington State, where he and Jane made many lifelong friends. Bob’s Helena area employers included Flansaas TV, Kaiser Cement, and American Chemet. He retired in 1997. Bob was a selfless, caring man who always put family first. He loved to tinker on vehicles and his family believed there was nothing he couldn’t fix. His favorite pastimes included horseshoes, cribbage, bowling, fishing, golf, watching football, his grandchildren’s activities, and anything that meant family time.
We lost a good man. A son, husband, father, brother, grandpa, uncle, and friend; he was loved and respected more than he knew and will be missed. Bob was preceded in death by his father Leo and brother-in-law and good friend Clayton Roope.
He is survived by his mother Hazel; his wife Jane; his children Curt Black and Darcy Ludeman of Billings, Laurie and Larry Logan of Helena, Steven Black of Whitefish, and Cherie and John Stobie of Polson; grandchildren Randy Logan of Worcester, MA, Melissa Gardiner of North Augusta, SC, Dan Logan of Centennial, CO, Amanda, Katie, and Dominic Stobie of Polson; and great-grandchildren Allie and Izzy Gardiner of North Augusta, SC. Bob is also survived by his siblings Jack and Viletta Black of Helena, Beverly and Ed Bezanson of Seeley Lake, Jim and Sharon Black of Helena, Pam and Bob Walker of Joliet, and Kent and Amy Black of Cody, WY; his in-laws Shirley Roope, Mary and Wayne Losey, and Judy Rose, all of Helena; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct 17, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with graveside services at the Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the graveside service at the Fort Harrison Service Club. Memorials in Bob’s name may be sent to Friends of the Fisher House, PO Box 648, Aurora, CO 80040. The Fisher House Foundation provides a “home away from home” for the families of hospitalized veterans.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Ed and Tom Hastings says
Dear Jane and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the difficult loss. Bob was a very good man and we thank you for sharing his life with us. We will miss him dearly.
Karen Freiburg says
Jack & family!
So sorry for your loss.
God Bless You All.