Robert J. Windauer, 91

Robert J. Windauer, 91, passed away in the presence of his children and their families on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He was born May 14, 1915, in Chicago, the first son of Adolph and Barbara (Beer) Windauer.

He attended St. Nicholas Elementary School, Mount Carmel Catholic High School, St. Mary's College in Minnesota and University of Illinois College of Dentistry, graduating with a D.D.S. degree in June 1941.

He then commissioned with the U.S. Navy as a dental officer, entering into active duty prior to Pearl Harbor. Bob served much of his sea duty on the battleship USS President Adams and participated in the major sea battles of Iwo Jima and Tarawa. He distinguished himself by risking his own life while bringing the wounded back onto the ship for medical attention during heavy seas and enemy attack.

Bob also spent part of his military duty as a dental officer on Johnson Island in the Pacific Theater, and was honorably discharged from active duty at the end of World War II in 1945.

Bob then returned to Chicago and his wife of five years, Bernardine A. (Moenich) Windauer. He and Bernardine had been childhood sweethearts since second grade in elementary school. They raised their family while Bob practiced dentistry in Chicago until 1974, when he and Bernardine moved to Columbia Falls.

Bob's lifetime hobby was woodcarving and clockmaking but his talents and interests were varied and considerable. He farmed, raised mink and pigeons, as well as many other animals. He served as a Boy Scout master and brought many young men to the level of Eagle Scout. He taught woodcarving and donated many months of his life to missionary dentistry in Mexico, Central America and Haiti.

He gave much more to life than he drew from it, even helping immigrant families get started in America by providing a home to starting families on several occasions.

This great man is survived by his six children, Robert P. Windauer and wife, Judy, of Kila, Barbara A. Wolgast and husband, Marvin, of Brooksville, Fla., Elizabeth L. Carlos and husband, Paul, of Crete, Ill., William J. Windauer and wife, Madeline, of Iowa City, Iowa, Bernard T. Windauer and wife, Leslie, of Kalispell, and Bernadette M. Newton and husband, Donald, of Columbia Falls. He enjoyed 20 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial for Robert Windauer will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls with Father John Miller as celebrant. Committal will be after the service at St. Richard's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, March 30, with a vigil to start at 5 p.m. in the Johnson Mortuary chapel.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Bob's family.