Robert Morris Blake, 72

Robert Morris Blake was born to proud parents, Morris E. and Leah V. Blake, Feb. 10, 1934; and passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by all his children and loving wife in Aug. 20, 2006, after battling cancer for several years.

Bob joined the Army in 1954, served 21 months and finished off his 6-year obligation in the Montana Army National Guard. Bob was a third generation brick and stone mason in the Flathead Valley. He put his life and love of masonry work into hundreds of buildings and homes around the valley including the historic Conrad Mansion, Flathead Community College, Flathead County High School, and Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was the secretary of the Brick Mason's Union for almost nine years.

In Bob's younger years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing with his family and friends; and in his later years, he enjoyed making beautiful bird houses, walking sticks, lamps, etc. out of scrap materials for his family and friends. Bob touched the hearts of everyone who knew him and will be dearly missed.

Bob married the love of his life, Cynthia M. Williams, on Aug. 2, 1961. During their glorious 45 years of marriage, he was a very loving husband and a proud supportive father to his four children, Kelly, Russell, Robert W., and Heidi.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Leah Blake, and his brothers, Dr. Larry J. Blake and Dudley Blake.

Bob is survived by his wife, Cindy; brother, Gregory and his wife, Mary Jo, of Hungry Horse; sons, Kelly W. Blake and his wife, Patricia, and Russell D. and his wife, Teresa, all of Mountain Home, Idaho, Robert W. and his wife, Cindy, of Las Vegas; daughter, Heidi and her husband, Leroy Washington, of Moscow, Idaho; and his nine grandchildren, Nick and Jennifer Thornton, Bobbi Wiggins, Kristine and Brandon Blake, Joel and Sara Blake, and Mychael and Jayson Washington.

Memorial services for Bob will be held 2 p.m. at his home in his shop in Whitefish, for a celebration of his life on Sept. 23.

His family would like to thank all his medical personnel, and hospice workers who provided his wonderful care and to his family and friends for their unconditional support and prayers.

Family requests lieu of flowers that contributions be made to Homes Option Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901, or North Valley Hospital Foundation, 6575 U.S. 93 South, Whitefish, MT 59937.