Robert H. Porter, 80

Bob Porter died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, at the Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was born in Parks, Neb., a tiny town in the Sand Hills, on April 14, 1930. He attended school in McCook and married Velma McCarty before joining the U.S. Air Force. Bob did his service in Korea, where he was pleased that he never had to fire in anger any of the weapons he loaded and maintained. After leaving the service, he and Velma relocated to Oxnard, Calif., where they raised three boys. At this time, Bob went back to college and received a degree in criminal justice, while working multiple jobs to support the family. He then began a career as a probation officer and retired as the director of the youth detention facility in Ventura, Calif. After the boys finished high school, Bob and Velma divorced. At his oldest son s invitation, Bob moved to Tucson, where they bought and ran a successful business, which they called Mike and Bob s Shoe Repair. In 1983 they sold the business. Bob, Mike and Bob s daughter-in-law, Robin, packed up their things and their two dogs and left Tucson with no destination in mind. They stopped in Kalispell to visit Bob s sister, Phyllis, and her husband, Dave, and went no further. They bought a house and lived together for many years. Bob met a new love, Dee Bennett, married and moved to Dee s property in Creston. They lived there for many years, until ill health caused Bob to move to the Veterans Home. Bob is survived by his brother, Gerry Porter and wife Barbara, of the Seattle area; sister, Phyllis Agner and husband Dave, of Kalispell; son, Michael Porter and wife Sue, their daughter Kelli and husband Ben, and grandchildren, Britain, Zac, Tylee and Christopher; son, Todd and wife June, and grandsons, Jackson, Alex and Brady; and nephews, Dave and Alex Agner. He was preceded in death by his son, Leslie Kent Porter; grandson, Jeremy Scott Porter; parents, Hervey and Doris Porter; and wife, Dee Bennett Porter. Bob was generous, compassionate, loyal and exceedingly honest. His appreciation for books, film, music and all of the arts is well known. Bob would not forgive us if we didn t mention that Dee s daughter, Joy, was his best friend and helper throughout his entire stay at the Veterans Home. Bob was a fine example of civility and grace, with nothing but kind words for everyone, except politicians. He will be missed.