Robert (Robbie) Hensley, 70 years in Townsend, Montana, and one year in Helena, passed away of natural causes on September 23, 2019 at 71 years of age.
He was born in Townsend on July 14, 1948, the third child of Woodrow “Spike” and Helen (Comerford) Hensley. Home was the family farm in the Crow Creek Valley in Broadwater County where Robbie learned the art of farming, a love for the winding dirt roads of the Elkhorns, and the skill of quiet listening and thoughtful storytelling.
Rob, affectionately referred to as “Bobbie” by his many aunts and uncles, attended rural Crow Creek School until grade 8 and graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1966. With a glint in his eye he would tell stories of tipping the outhouse when the substitute teacher was inside, and the mean farm rooster that would keep the cousins from getting too far away from the house in the summer. He attended Northern Montana College Havre for two years before serving in the Navy on the heavy destroyer USS Saint Paul. Robbie then to return to his Montana where he earned an associate degree in computer programming.
For a short time, he used his programming education at the Montana Department of Transportation. Rob met Sue Duncan, with her great legs and blonde bob, he wooed her with his Chevelle SuperSport and quick wit. In 1970, “Navy Man takes Bride” headlined their wedding announcement. The itch for working the land brought Rob and his young family back to join his parents in the Crow Creek Valley.
Together, Rob and Sue raised three daughters and one son. Under Robbie’s tutelage, the four kids learned to get dirty, drive ATVs fast, and fix things every day. He deputized them in his life-long battle against gophers, and was incredibly proud of them (the kids, not the gophers).
Many neighbors referred to Robbie as one of the smartest farmers in the valley.
After leaving farming, Robbie put his years of experience to work as an electrician across the Midwest, and as a Water Rights Specialist for the Montana Department of Natural resources. He was proud to serve on the Broadwater Search & Rescue, and as a volunteer EMT.
Robbie was a skilled fisherman on Crow Creek, the Missouri river as well as through the ice or on his boat on Canyon Ferry Lake, happy to tie Woolly Buggers and egg sacs alike. He hunted throughout Montana, and always seemed to fill the freezer with elk and deer. At his wife’s request, no pheasant was ever on the menu, but that didn’t keep them from opening their land up to responsible hunters and sharing in their joy of the countryside. Robbie taught his kids how to count and add quickly on a cribbage board, and by the time they got to school they knew that 7 and 8 made “15-2!” A true cribbage master, Rob spent many happy hours teaching the strategy of cribbage to anyone who would sit still, and playing against his dear friends over cups of coffee or bourbon.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Anne. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Susan, who was his ever-present and loving caregiver in his last few years. He is also survived by his sister Pat Pillen of Las Vegas, NV. His legacy lives on in the four families of his children; daughters Carol & Lonnie Larson of Belgrade, MT, Jennifer Hensley and Steve Gallus of Helena, MT, Robin and Willie Blazer of Ennis, MT, and son Thomas William Hensley and Kaila Tamcke of Missoula, MT, as well as his nine grandchildren whom he adored – Anthony and Tyler Stock, Josey and Ruby Blazer, Madelyn, Noah, Simon and Scarlett Hensley, and Charlie Gallus.
A memorial service will be on Thursday, October 3rd at 1:00 pm in Townsend at Stevenson Wilke funeral home, 212 Broadway. Burial will immediately follow at Deep Creek Cemetery. Friends and family will gather at the Lodge at Townsend (old Masonic Lodge), 131 South Spruce for food and fellowship. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 301 N Cherry in Townsend.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday October 3, 2019
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the Service
Thursday October 3, 2019
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday October 3, 2019
The Lodge of Townsend
131 South Spruce Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday October 3, 2019
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the Service
Thursday October 3, 2019
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday October 3, 2019
The Lodge of Townsend
131 South Spruce Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
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Val and Roy Hornsveld says
Sue and family,
I am so sorry for you loss
Kathey Blazer says
Sue, Robin, Carol, Jen, Will and families,
I am so sorry and sad to hear of the passing of your loved one. A wonderful husband, dad and grandfather. Suffering no more. Cherish all the great memories you made together. Robbie was a compassionate, caring man. My condolences to each of you. Prayers, peace and comfort be with you. Love and miss seeing all of you.
Steve and Jackie Sampson says
So sorry to hear about Robbie.
I am glad I got to spend some time with him.
I wish it could have been more.
Our prayers are with you.
Karen Bryson says
Susan and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Robbie. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you as you journey down this road of grief. May happy memories and faith comfort you. Hugs!
David Hensley says
Susan and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Robbie passing. I really enjoyed the times I got to spend with him hunting, and also ice fishing. Connie and I were talking about how he teased her, telling her that she had to keep the maggots in her lip to keep them from freezing. You all are in our prayers.
Dee Hensley Toy says
So sorry for the passing of Robbie. He was so awesome cousin. My prayers go out to all of you.
Dee Ellen Hensley Toy.
Art Graham says
My condolences to Sue, Jennifer and all the rest of the family. Gosh, Robbie, indeed was such a great classmate and friend back in our teen years. And a fellow U.S. Navy veteran. I rarely was able to see him
again over the years; however, all friends reported that he was the same fun, good humored and decent guy as always. I know he will be missed. Find solace in knowing what a neat and fun person he was throughout life.
Godspeed to all.
Barb and Les Schipman says
Les and Barb Schipman
So sorry for your loss, Robbie was a really special guy, we enjoyed knowing him! Bless your heart Sue for taking care of him in the past years!
Trudi Bucy Downer says
Love, thoughts and prayers to Sue and family. I treasure the fond memories of a long friendship and all the times we met at SDD Meets. Rest In Peace, Rob.
Audrey Plymale & Family says
Sue and family,
I am so sorry about Robbie. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sandy and Ted Vanover says
Sue and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Robbie was a great guy!
Mary Huth & Al Bodle says
Sue and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I always so enjoyed visiting with Robbie when we would meet. He was special. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He will be missed ~
Jim Webb says
So sorry for your loss! Rob and I grew up in the Crow Creek Valley and were fellow 4-Hers! RIP my friend
Lois Magdall says
Sue and family
Condolences to each of you and prayers.
Ken and I both enjoy seeing and visiting with
Robbie whenever our paths crossed.
He had a quietness about him. That made people love him.
Loving prayers to everyone
Mary Ellen Schnur says
Sue, Carol, Jenny, Robin, and Will,
My condolences on the passing of Robbie. He was such a steady, cheerful presence in life. Those Crow Creek school boys were pretty darn cute! And I got to know Robbie as we had our confirmation classes together. He was a pleasure to be around then, and as an adult dad of my daughters’ good friends. He’s left a wonderful legacy in all of you
Doug & JoAnne Baum says
Please know you are all in our prayers…it is never easy to say good-bye to a loved one. Will, we love you and pray that you find peace with this…Hug your mom & hold tight to the memories!!!!!!