Robert Martin Braach Age 61 of Helena

Lovingly surrounded by his family Rob passed on 1/23/22. What a full life he lived and became a true example of what it looks like to courageously battle cancer and treatment side effects when originally given 3-6 months to live yet lived another amazing 7 years and 7plus months. His energy and joy for life did not deter until the last days of his life. He was born Sept 4, 1960, to David and Alta Braach of Missoula, growing up in the Willard Elementary neighborhood and graduating from Hellgate H.S. in 1979. At the U of M, he began his studies in accounting, eventually following his college sweetheart Dawn to the University of North Dakota marrying in their junior year and finished their respective degrees. Those early days were humble beginning with strong commitment to studying and keeping warm in those frigid North Dakota winters! Rob graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B of An Accounting in 1984. Upon returning to Missoula, he embarked on a meaningful and diverse career. He was the controller for Clawson Mfg. for many years before branching out into Administration of Timber Products Mfg. Trust, and ultimately owning his own private accounting firm until the time of his brain cancer. Being a “numbers” man, he could run numbers in his head almost as fast as a calculator and preferred the old days of written ledgers and spread sheets. To say he was extremely passionate about the outdoors is an understatement. His yearly calendar defined by hunting and fishing seasons. His adventures included multiple trips to Alaska, Africa, and Argentina. He fulfilled a few major “bucket list” fishing and hunting expeditions including taking family and friends to Sitka, Alaska for 3 days of salmon and halibut fishing, taking his sons to Argentina in 2017 and in 2018 getting to fly into Alaska for a grizzly bear hunt. A true favorite were horseback trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to float on the South Fork of the Flathead River. It delighted him to no end that Dawn became an accomplished oarsman of the raft so he could keep on casting his fishing line into those good holes where the trout hid. He relished times in the outdoors with good friends, as well as new friends, often giving them once in a lifetime backcountry experiences. The most coveted place on earth for Rob was in the mountains of and on the water of Rock Creek. He spent weekends as a boy with his family on his uncle’s ranch, began hunting the drainages as a teenager and ultimately in 1986 he and Dawn and his dad were able to reconstruct a 14 X 16 log cabin on one acre in Williams Gulch. This little rustic cabin grew over time to include more room and some modern conveniences became the focal point of countless and cherished family and friend gatherings, always accompanied with good food, cribbage, and lots of retelling of the day’s hunting or fishing adventures. The family favorite was the tradition of Thanksgiving holiday with the turkey roasting in the wood stove.

Rob served on the board of various non-profits over the years including the Missoula Trap and Skeet Club, Ducks Unlimited, Emmanual Baptist Church treasurer, many years on the Timber Products Mfg. Trust as well as the Missoula Manor Board of Trustees for several years.

His greatest pride, joy and bond was with his 2 sons, Carl, and Dylan, encouraging a love for the outdoors and instilling a strong work ethic.  Seeing his sons get married was such a special time surpassed only by the joy of getting to be a grandfather, four times over! The friendship with his dad David was deeply treasured. A genuine faith in God became more precious and personal at the time of his brain cancer diagnosis. This greatly softened his heart with an inner peace and assurance for eternity that while his physical body grew weaker, his spirit grew strong.

Preceded in death by paternal and maternal grandparents, Mother Alta, brother David, sister Sheri Donica, nephews Tyson and Joey.

Survived by his wife Dawn having just celebrated 39 years together, sons Carl (Mandy) of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Dylan (Taryn) of Boulder, Montana; Grandchildren Fletcher, Sawyer, Sylvia, and Skylar; Father David and stepmother Lucy of Missoula, sisters Christie of Pleasant Hills, California, Monti (Mike) of Cameno Island, Washington, many nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Shelley of Lolo, MT. And many dear friends who were companions in all sorts of hunting, fishing, and business adventures along the way.

The family would like to extend gratitude to the excellent care received at Community Medical Center and Community Cancer Care (Missoula) and most recently Encompass Hospice of Helena and Epaga Home Care of Helena.

Rob’s legacy of focusing on his family, the outdoors, as well as generously helping those in need will be meaningfullly carried on by those of us left behind. We have the peace and assurance that one day we will have a heavenly reunion. In lieu of flowers donations to the Braach Shepards for Veterans Inc 501c3, or your local Food Pantry is most appreciated. A celebration of life will be scheduled for the spring.

A celebration of Rob’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7th at Missoula Alliance Church, 100 E. Foss Court, Missoula, MT

Service Schedule

Celebration of His Life

11:00 a.m.

Saturday May 7, 2022

Missoula Alliance Church

100 E. Foss Court

Missoula, Montana 59803

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