Robert Harold Hickey Sr., 68

"Robert joined our Lord" on July 23, 2008, at his home in Lewistown, from a battle with cancer. Robert was born on Sept. 21, 1939, to Bernard and Marie Hickey in Detroit.

Robert grew up in the Pontiac, Mich., area, then went to serve our country in the U.S. Army as a medic, from 1958-1961. When he returned to Michigan he was married and started a family.

Robert was an adventurer and a pioneer, and in 1973 he loaded up his family, lock, stock and barrel, and was going to move to Alaska. As they drove through the Flathead Valley, the mountains called to him and he decided it would be home for the next 29 years before making his move to Lewistown to retire with his soulmate of 25 years, Diana McCollum.

Robert had a great sense of adventure; he was a pioneer and loved the great outdoors. He was a man never to be idle; he was either hunting, fishing, camping, exploring or fixing anything that was broken. He was a wonderful craftsman and, of course, his two main passions were belonging to the Gun Club, where he went on to become a nationally rated marksman, and being on the open road on his Harley. After retiring from Plum Creek he would ride five to 10 thousand miles a year on that Harley. "He surely will be riding Harleys in heaven."

He will be missed by many lifetime friends and his family.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Daniel Hickey.

Robert leaves behind his love, Diana McCollum; a sister, Elaine, and husband, Jack Harris, of Connecticut; a son, Robert Jr., and wife, Patti Hickey, of Kalispell; daughters, Michelle Siderius of Kalispell, Tracy and husband Devon Anderson of Kalispell, Kimberly and husband Dan Alexander of Bozeman, and Marie and husband Arron Auclaire of Kalispell.

Robert has 12 grandchildren and two great-grandsons; along with many cherished nephews and family members.

A memorial service is planned September 2009 near Circle, Alaska, as his wishes were for his remains to be spread next to his brother, Dan.

Central Montana Crematorium of Lewistown is caring for the family.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Central Montana Shooting Complex, P.O. Box 780, Lewistown, MT 59457, in Bob's memory, 1-406-538-9408.