Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Robert T. Cummins (Bob), passed away on February 26, 2021, at the age of 88. He was born September 11, 1932, the third child of Robert B. (Mandan, ND) and Emma Krug Cummins (Glendive, MT) who predeceased him. His three sisters, Ann McIntyre, Seattle, WA; Dell Cunningham, Spokane, WA; and Nina Barnhill (Topsy), Missoula, MT; and his eldest daughter Cory Cummins, Edmonds, WA also predeceased him.
Bob is survived by his wife of 41 years, Allyn Ann Bernau Cummins, his son William and daughter-in-law, Nancy, and twin grandchildren, Robert and Jacqueline, of Oxford IA, daughter Tara A. Cummins of Seattle, WA; his brother, William B. (Butch) and sister-in-law Emmy Cummins, of Fullerton, CA, and Ann Twohy Cummins, the mother of their children.
He was educated in Mandan, ND and later at Saint Joseph Grade School, Missoula, and County High School after his family relocated in 1946 to Rose Acres up the Rattlesnake. He graduated in 1951 from Saint Thomas Military Academy, Saint Paul, MN. He began college at MSU-Missoula, which was interrupted by being drafted into the Army to serve in Korea. Upon his return from service, he graduated in 1957 with a BS degree. He entered the Law School at U of M for three years and was admitted to the practice of law on October 27, 1960. He graduated from the United States Army War College resident course at Carlisle, PA, in 1980. He also attended many military schools during the course of his 40 years of Military Service.
Bob had an illustrious military career rising from the rank of private to colonel. He retired in September, 1992 at that rank having received many awards including a Legion of Merit. Bob practiced law in Helena, MT for 61 years handling cases from abandonment to zoning. He enjoyed his career immensely and was a proficient trial lawyer.
His greatest love was for family, law, and travel, including visits to all seven continents and journeys to 92 countries. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, and skiing.
No funeral services are planned. A memorial service and internment will be at the Veterans’ Cemetery, Fort Harrison, MT, with military honors later in the summer when family and friends can travel and gather safely.
Thank you to the VA hospital medical staff, Saint Peters’s Health for hospice care, and the staff at Rocky Mountain Care Center.
Burial with Military Honors is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. Coffee and Cookies will follow in the Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions to either the Veterans’ Cemetery or Lewis and Clark Humane Society or donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 10, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Coffee and Cookies
Following the burial
Tuesday August 10, 2021
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 10, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Coffee and Cookies
Following the burial
Tuesday August 10, 2021
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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jeff and melissa sherlock says
Sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. He was a strong advocate for his clients, a lover of dogs and devoted to his wife and family. I always appreciated Bob’s military service, but that respect only increased when I recently read a book about the Chosin reservoir battle in the Korean war. Bob was a young marine in that battle. It was minus 30 and our guys were getting overwhelmed by hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers. Nonetheless, they did their duty and honored their commitment to our country. Thanks, Bob. Peace to his family
Joe Bower & Laurie Ugrin says
Our condolences to Alyson Ann and family. We enjoyed visiting with Bob whenever we saw him. He definitely had life experiences from his military service to riding motorcycles with Victor Mature. We are saddened by his passing.
Rhonda Simmons says
I am sad to hear about Bob. He was a good, caring attorney and a great advocate for me in a custody matter, something I’ll forever be grateful for. He worked to put my family back together – not many can say that after dealing with custody issues. A few years later, my late husband, Bill, and I had the pleasure of helping with some upgrades at his home, and we really enjoyed getting to know both Bob and Allyn Ann better. Rest in peace, sir, and God bless. I’m sorry for your loss, Allyn Ann.
Carl Hatch says
Bob was a mentor and friend who welcomed me into the private practice of law in 1966 with him and Floyd Small. I enjoyed the close association we had during those years. I was often a guest for dinner and observed the love and care he gave to his family and his dogs. I express my deepest sympathy to his family as you adjust to his absence. I trust that your faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ, will comfort you as you ponder the truths of immortality and eternal life that He taught.
Paul Maloy says
Having met Bob when I was only 22 it’s fair to say he’s been a beacon for me throughout my adult life. Bob was in his mid 40’s back then and it’s difficult to explain how impressed I was with his intelligence and confident manner. For some reason he befriended me and over the years I could always reach out to him for advice. I will miss him and am very grateful to him. I will pray for him and extend my deep condolences to Allyn Ann & his children. Paul Maloy
Jeff and jeannie morrison says
We were good friends for almost 60 years. He also was our attorney.
He was one of the “good guys”. He will be missed.
Randy Dix says
I collaborated with Bob on several cases when I started my law practice in 1980. He was fearless and a creative legal thinker. Bob also had a quixotic sense of humor that was always appreciated around the Leaphart law office where we shared offices. RIP Bob.
Sara Graveley-Moody says
I am so sorry for your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting Bob but every conversation I had with Cory she beamed with pride and love for him! I enjoyed hearing all about their travels especially to the Mid-East. May both of them rest together in paradise. My deepest condolences to the family!
Mike Young says
Bob and I shared many lawsuits together over 40 years! Sometimes we were against each other, and often times on the same side. He was an innovative thinker and not afraid to take bold chances that often worked out well. I’ll remember him fondly as a mentor and good friend.
Diane Langenfus says
Bob and AllynAnn have been our friends since before they were married and Bob was my Attorney also most of that time. I remember stopping by his office just to visit and a phone call came in for me. He got up and insisted I take the call in his office at his desk. I said “oh Bob I don’t want to take your chair”.. in his gruff and commanding voice, Bob said “WHY NOT YOU PAID FOR IT”. He will be greatly missed by the community of Helena, friends, family and clients.
AllynAnn, please accept our deepest condolences
Diane & Mike
Pamela Scott says
Dear AllynAnn and Family,
I am very sorry for your loss.
I used to hang out with Cory in junior high. We would have sleep overs and we were crawl through the tunnels of the house on Flowerree. One 4th of July, after a sleep over, Bob woke us up and said to me- Go get your skis. I went home and got my downhill skis; in the meantime, he was loading his snowmobile up. Within an hour, Cory and I were being pulled up the hill at Great Divide with a water ski rope… We’d ski down and he’d pull us back up the mountain. Of course, that was the best 4th of July, ever!!! Most recently, my brother was running for a political office last spring and Bob would call and say he needed a few yard signs… the next week, a few more. It was fun to tell him my stories of Cory and I when we were kids. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a fantastic father!
Darien G Scott says
Dear Allyn,
Was so sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Cindy Parry & Peter Strauss says
Bob was a good friend and a good neighbor. We are so sorry to hear of his passing. AllynAnn – our hearts and prayers are with you and the family. With love, Cindy and Peter
Ross Cannon says
Bob and I started our respective law practices in Helena at about the same time. We were founding directors and officers of the Rocky Mountain Development Council. Over the years we occasionally tried cases against each other and I can certify he was a very good trial lawyer.
My sympathies to Allyn Ann and Bob’s family.
Larry Bussinger says
AllynAnn, sorry for your loss. We still think of you and your folks often.
Dea Maude says
Bob and AllynAnn were always the best of next door neighbours to my mother and sister for many years. Bob also was great in helping to organise some wonderful family holidays for us when we were in Montana to visit. We much enjoyed catching up with them when there. Bob also made a great Father Christmas/ Santa Claus ! We will miss him. – Chris, dea Kit Anna and George Maude