Neil Robert McAlpin, 74

Neil Robert McAlpin died of natural causes on the family farm in Polson on Aug. 14, 2008. Neil was born Feb. 14, 1934, near Villisca, Iowa, on the family farm to Lottie (Thompson) and Robert McAlpin.

After college, Lottie taught school in Sunny Slope and Bigfork while Robert worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Dubois. They married and settled in Iowa, but a love of the West led them to sell that farm and bring their children to Polson in 1940, purchasing the former Gov. Joseph Dixon ranch on the south shore.

Neil graduated from Polson High School in 1952. He attended Carleton College and finished his formal education at Montana State College in Bozeman, majoring in zoology.

After teaching for a short time at Polson High, he married Randa Colvill and they purchased the family farm. Together, Neil and Randa have spent the past 48 years raising children, grandchildren and crops on the shore of Flathead Lake. They are also known for 38 years of innovative dairying on their farm.

Later in life, Neil developed a passion for building and flying radio-control airplanes, which he was doing when he passed away.

Neil would want to be remembered for his service to the community, and on boards including the Lake County Junior Fair, Mission Valley Dairy Cooperative, and Polson Rural Fire District. He led 4-H clubs and Cub Scout troops locally and served on the Producers Committee for Milk Quota, and on the board of the Montana State University Agriculture Research Stations for Montana.

He was equally proud of the accomplishments of his own children, and of the accomplishments of the numerous young people to whom he taught the values of hard work on the farm. His greatest joy was teaching his grandchildren a love for nature, being outdoors and working with their hands. "God has a farmer now."

Neil is survived by his wife of 48 years, Randa; sons, Ken and Gina of Ronan, and Dave and Beth O'Halloran of Missoula; and daughter, Barbara Margaris, and Mel of Great Falls; as well as siblings, Ross McAlpin and Marylou of Bigfork, and Alice Forbes and Dale of Great Falls; four grandchildren; and other extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson.

Memorials can be made to the Lake County 4-H Foundation, 300 Third Ave., Ronan, MT 59864.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.