Sidney Arthur “Bo” Stuart was called into the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the morning of May 15th, 2019, while surrounded by family and dear friends at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT. He was 67 years old at the time of his passing.
Bo was born to Arthur Leslie and Lois Marchetta Stuart, and his older brother Gary, on January 10th, 1952, in Bozeman, MT. As a boy, Bo was quiet and shy, but to those who knew him well, he was also full of humor and mischief. He loved the great outdoors and enjoyed skiing, mountaineering, and participating in Boy Scouts. After graduating from Bozeman High School and having a great aptitude for science and math, Bo attended MSU, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in microbiology.
After a brief stint at the Department of Environmental Quality in Helena, where he met and married his wife, Maggie, Bo began his 30-year career with the Forest Service as a hydrologist. He retired from the Helena National Forest in 2007.
Bo loved truth, beauty, and goodness; he loved his family and friends; and above all, he loved his Heavenly Father. He will be remembered for his steady wisdom, deep loyalty, dry humor, lion-like courage, and tender heart for others. Bo is survived by his wife, two daughters and their husbands, twelve grandchildren, and his brother, as well as many friends.
A Celebration of His Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 9th at Kleffner Ranch, 305 MT. Hwy. 518, East Helena, MT. It will be followed by a potluck reception (main dish is provided, side dishes are encouraged.)
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Options Clinic, 1005 Partridge Place, Suite 1, Helena, MT. 59602. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Bo.
Service Schedule
Reception
Following the graveside service
Friday May 17, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Celebration of His Life
3:00 p.m.
Sunday June 9, 2019
Kleffner Ranch
305 MT. Hwy. 518
East Helena, Montana 59635
Potluck Reception
Following the celebration of life
Sunday June 9, 2019
Kleffner Ranch
305 MT. Hwy. 518
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Reception
Following the graveside service
Friday May 17, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Celebration of His Life
3:00 p.m.
Sunday June 9, 2019
Kleffner Ranch
305 MT. Hwy. 518
East Helena, Montana 59635
Potluck Reception
Following the celebration of life
Sunday June 9, 2019
Kleffner Ranch
305 MT. Hwy. 518
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Sam Gilbert says
I’m very sorry for your loss of Bo. I really enjoyed getting to know him and work with him at the Forest Service. He had great skills in natural resources and working with people. He will be missed.
Tom Clifford says
I’m devastated by Bo’s loss. I cannot imagine your family’s loss. For me he was the consummate professional who elevated us all by his quiet leadership. Bo understood natural resources and he knew people and helped us all to arrive at the right decisions for both the resources and the people we serve. I’ll miss Bo most for his humanity, civility, good humor, and his gentle leadership. The world won’t be better for his passing but it was by his presence. Bo was a good and decent man. I’ll miss him dearly! I was fortunate to have been able to work along side Bo.
Dennis Heffner says
This really hits hard! My condolences to Bo’s family and loved ones. My memories of Bo always start with his sense of humor, his sincere sense of concern and professionalism, and his passion for his work and his care for the people around him. Often when I was stumped or just had a question, the phrase “Bo knows” would pop into my head. More often than not it turned out to be true – he was a great listener and advisor. Bo was one who looked for ways to help the group succeed and get things done the right way. Memories of his singing at birthday celebrations and the good natured ribbings during Cat/Griz week of the football season will continues to bring smiles to many of us.
As Tom said above: I will miss Bo dearly. It was indeed an honor to have been able to work alongside Bo and call him a friend.
Duane Harp says
I can only second what Tom and Dennis said above, they both captured the essence of Bo so well. He was a gentle and kind person who had a wonderful sense of humor and always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face. He was a credit to the Forest Service and it was a pleasure and privilege to work with him. He has left us far too soon and he will be missed by so many. My sincere condolences to Bo’s family.
Larry Laing says
Judy and I mourn Bo’s passing. His friendship and our numerous adventures (sometimes misadventures) at work will always be treasured. Wish we could have been closer geographically the last few years, but at least were able to keep in touch via Facebook and visit a couple times when in Montana. Bo will be missed but his life was an inspiration for us all and one to truly celebrate. Kept thinking today about the time he fell in the creek while putting on a training session – good thing home wasn’t too far away. It was a cold day. Hugs to you Maggie and your family.
Archie Harper says
I got to work alongside Bo on many Forest Service projects with an eye on watershed protection or improvement. The thing I liked so much about Bo was his humor and natural bent to smile or laugh away any stressful moment. My favorite example of this was when Bo toppled off a beaver dam into the brink while helping me electrofish Whites Gulch. With both waders full of water, he managed to pull himself ashore with a smile from ear to ear. The world has lost a great person who knew how to take life easy.
Mike Oliver says
I am devastated by Bo’s untimely passing! He was a great friend and colleague. His contributions to natural resource management are nearly countless. Like Tom, I feel fortunate to have worked beside him and we are all blessed to have known him. Unfortunately, I will not be coming to Helena tomorrow….it is the 10th anniversary of my Daughter Shannon’s passing. We will be celebrating her life here and you can be sure there will be prayers for you as well as memories of Bo. — Mike
Bruce D Sims says
It’s been almost 12 years since I had the opportunity to work on watershed management issues with Bo, yet it seems like yesterday. All of us who worked with Bo held him in the highest regard. He dealt with complex land management issues by forging positive working relationships between water regulatory agencies, his co-workers, and members of the public. He was a kind person of high moral character. He left the world a better place than he found it.
My heartfelt condolences go to Bo’s family
David McCann says
I enjoyed his company and input on numerous forest projects with his common sense approaches on soils and hydrology. He was a kind sole and a gentle man who god has welcomed back., I will think of him for the rest of my life and will pay my respects to him on Friday. Can I help provide a special tree at the cemetery for the family? Let me know, I work for a local nursery and can help with the selection and arrangement.
Dave G.McCann Sale Admin
Al and Cindy Christophersen says
We are so sorry to hear of Bo’s passing. Our sincere condolences to all of Bo’s family. Bo was the best of professionals. He was always kind towards others and his care and concern for managing our public resources was unyielding. He was highly respected by his co-workers and the public for his thoughts and values and his input was always trusted. We are all better for having known and worked with him. Thank You Bo.
Al and Cindy Christophersen
Chuck Neal says
I first met Bo in the early eighties when we both worked on the Bridges-Teton Forest. He was very well respected and helped me deal with contentious projects near Yellowstone and Teton National parks. Our paths crossed again when he walked into the Helena Ranger District office. Bo had a good understanding of forest resource the agency manages and had an abundance of common sense to know how the interacted with each other. He also had a quick wit and calm demeanor as well as high ethical and moral standards. These special attributes made it easy for fellow employees and the public to trust and respect him. He will be sorely missed by his many friends and beloved family. I will him and his wonderful family in my thoughts and prayers. GOD speed my friend.
Chuck
Mike Bishop says
To Bo’s Family/Friends-
I am so sorry for your loss of this Gentle- Man. It was my privilege to work with Bo “across the aisle” on joint EPA/Forest Service projects.
Mike Cole says
I have many fond memories of the years I worked with Bo on the Helena NF. He was a professional in every way, but also brought common sense to every job where he strived to do the best for the environment. His work will truly be his long-term legacy for the watersheds on the forest. But the best thing about Bo was his humanity. He was a man of great character and ethics. But you can’t just do a job without enjoying your work and the people around you. He brought joy to the workplace just by being himself and made every day a little bit easier for everyone else just by being there. Whenever he was around I knew it would be a good day and there would be laughter. In fact I can still hear that laugh of his! He was a happy guy, and it rubbed off if you were within sight of him. I feel so fortunate that I made it to the last retiree Christmas party and was able to spend some time with him. His family can be assured that he was a very respected and loved employee and friend. Rest easy Bo. We will all meet up again.
George Weldon says
To Bo’s Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. Bo was first of all a great man who made everyone around him better, and of course thought the world of his family. He was a true champion of the resource and made me truly understand the value of water. He will be missed but never forgotten. Our thoughts are with you!
Paul Johnson and Linda Robbins says
Bo was our wonderful next-door neighbor for some 25 years, and you could not wish for better. He was a good
man and a great neighbor and we will miss him.
Rich Munger says
Maggie, we are so sorry to hear of Bo’s passing. I’ve only known both of you for a short time, but it seems like we’ve been friends for many years. My time serving with Bo on the Saddle Mountain Services board was a real experience. As board president, Bo handled himself with professional dignity. He was kind and gentle but ran the board in a no-nonsense way. He was a real gentleman.
Bette and I offer our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Jack Kaiser says
Bo was my supervisor for 99% of my time in hydrology at HNF. When I was informed of his passing, I was shocked and deeply saddened. His family and spiritual belief was foremost, unwavering and without doubt. His work ethic was just as strong. I learned everything from Bo about hydrology, grace, and forgiveness. He was the easiest man to work with. I can only imagine him wading in a stream, in Montana, with the sun on his face and a smile. Maggie, thanks for the end of season BBQ’s and laughter. When I see a stream I think of you Bo. Thanks and I’ll see ya at the end of the trail.
Williams Family says
Condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.
Janet Gill says
Maggie, my heart is sad. Oh how I enjoyed meeting Bo and sharing a good laugh with him. I’m thinking of you and your family at this time. Take good care of yourselves.
Denis Hart says
Bo Stuart was one of those kind of people that was very hard to not immediately like, and respect. He was like the EF Hutton of hydrology and overall forest management. When he gave advice, you could take it to the bank, because Bo always stayed on top of the latest developments in his field of expertise, and had a unique ability to not only see the trees, but the forest as well. The real plus with Bo was that he had a way of explaining his point so that everyone fully understood what he was saying.
The world has lost a really good, compassionate man, who had a great sense of humor. My sincere condolences to Bo’s family.