Robert G. ‘Bob’ Langenbach passed away on March 31, 2023 in Helena, Montana. He was born in Helena on June 9, 1924 to Charles and Helen Langenbach, lifelong residents who owned and operated the Fifth Avenue Grocery.
Bob attended Jefferson and Central elementary schools and graduated from Helena High School in 1942. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in business administration from the University of Montana and his Doctorate from UCLA. After teaching at UM and UCLA, he joined the faculty at San Diego State University and served as a professor and department chairman in the Information Systems Department of the College of Business Administration for 22 years. He retired in 1981 and returned to Helena to live in the family home on Rodney Street.
While at San Diego State, he assisted in the development of an information systems/electronic data processing curriculum and presented data processing workshops at different colleges and universities. He authored three textbooks and several pamphlets and articles in electronic data processing and research design. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and business honoraries Beta Gamma Sigma, Alpha Kappa Psi, and Pi Omega Pi. He was voted professor emeritus upon his retirement for SDSU.
During World War II, he served in the US Army Medical Corps and later served in General MacArthur’s GHQ AFPAC (General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Pacific) in the South Pacific, Philippines, and Japan.
As an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Helena, he served on all committees involved in the planning, construction, and financing of the new building addition; he assisted in the many church activities and thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship within the congregation. In 2012, he joined the newly founded conservative Presbyterian Church, Grace Community Fellowship. He enjoyed working with the Special Olympics, the Little Red Schoolhouse, the Community Christmas Center, and the Salvation Army. His special interest was aiding the disadvantaged in the local mental health programs.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brother Harold; he is survived by a niece Vicky Forester of Las Vegas, and a nephew Gary Langenbach of Seattle.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 28, 2023 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., with a reception to follow the service in the Social Hall of the Funeral Home. The burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Helena.
Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army, 1905 Henderson, Helena, MT 59601; Grace Community Fellowship, P.O. Box 1389, Helena, MT 59624; or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday April 28, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday April 28, 2023
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the reception
Friday April 28, 2023
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday April 28, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday April 28, 2023
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the reception
Friday April 28, 2023
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Carol Swanson Frisch says
Bob was my neighbor, friend and mentor. Bob was there for me in good times and sad times. He shared his love of gardening, painting, music and his birds. He also shared his love of cooking with me. Bob loved his friends and God above all. I am already missing his honest counsel and laughter. The world has lost a true gentleman.
Mike Griffith says
Bob was the youngest 98 year old I’ve ever known – physically and mentally. We last visited during his birthday celebration on June 9th, last year. His youthful spirit, expressed by a chuckling smile, was his hallmark. Bob was a gift that never quit giving.
Ron Iverson says
God made the most fabulous man when he created Bob. Bob was very intelligent, very thoughtful, very kind, and sometimes very humorous. He will be missed by many–including his church friends. Not many know it, but he was also a talented artist, and many of his paintings have graced First Presbyterian church and Grace Community Fellowship walls. Godspeed Bob–you were one tremendous man.
Al Griffiths says
I met Bob in the mid 80s and we quickly bonded through our love of sports. We attended all of the Capital & Helena high school and Carroll football and basketball games played locally for over 2 decades. In the summer, we were regulars at the Helena Brewers, Senators, Reps games. I even got Bob to go to one Big Horn hockey game!
As it became more challenging to attend all the games in person, we’d still listen to the games on the radio or watch them on TV. In fact, we’d get together to watch as many college and professional football, basketball, and baseball games as often as we possible. I also enjoyed having coffee or meals with Bob. He was easy to talk to and very knowledgeable about a variety of topics.
I never heard Bob speak bad about anyone. He was a very kind and generous man. I’ll miss my good friend.
Stephen Bostrom says
Bob, at last you have won the race. Well done. And what a Savior you have. I will miss dropping by to visit with you and Blake.