Robert Bob S. Ruggles, 87

Robert Bob S. Ruggles, 87, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was born on May 9, 1922, in Enid, the son of Mary D. and Isaac S. Ruggles. The family moved to the Flathead Valley in 1935. He was the second son of four children, Albert, Robert, Burdette and Maxine (Stubbs). He went to school at Evergreen Elementary and was attending Flathead High when he went into the Army to serve in World War II. Robert served in actions in North Africa and Italy where he was awarded the Silver Star. In 1945 he married Helen M. Wilson in Missoula. Robert was a logger for many years and later retired from the Flathead County Maintenance Shop where he was a welder and mechanic. An avid hunter and fisherman, Robert and Helen spent many hours fishing on Ashley Lake, the place most dear to their hearts. When not working you would most likely find him tinkering on something mechanical or welding something for someone in his little shop. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; parents, Mary and Isaac; his brothers, Albert and Burdette; daughter, Roberta; and grandson, Ryan Ruggles. He is survived by two sons, James L. Ruggles of Kalispell, and Raymond R. Ruggles of Canby, Ore.; his sister, Maxine Stubbs, of Kalispell; three granddaughters, Jodi L. Ruggles, Julie M. Mecham and Keely M. Ruggles; as well as two great-grandchildren. Memorial services for Robert will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Calvary Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kurt Rau officiating. A reception will follow immediately. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Robert s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Robert s tribute wall.