Robert B. Markle, 80

Robert B. Markle, 80, died with cancer July 25, 2015, at home with loved ones at his side.

Robert grew up on a farm near Sidney. He learned hard work, creative repairs, and domesticating wild animals — which included his pet crow, fox and raccoon. (The skunk didn’t work out so well.) He graduated from Sydney High School in 1955.  

Robert married, and had a son, Jeffrey. For 13 years Robert worked as a mechanic in Sacramento, California, for Procter and Gamble, but he longed for Montana. His family moved to the Flathead Valley in 1970. He and Jeff’s mom divorced.  

Robert enrolled at Flathead Valley Community College, determined to become an elementary school teacher. Then he discovered the ceramics department. It was love and passion at first “throwing.” In just three quarters, Robert was not only taking ceramics classes during the day, but also teaching ceramics at FVCC at night.  

In 1970, Robert founded Markle Pottery in Columbia Falls. Six years later, he met Anne Scott at Art in the Park in Great Falls. In 1978, they married, and he joined her in Harlowton for a year. They then moved to land south of Columbia Falls, where they built a small farm that also housed Robert’s kiln and studio. Robert and Anne have a son, Tyler, 27.

Robert made functional stoneware pottery, grew flowers commercially, and cared for animals, at various times raising chickens, guineas, pheasants and more, as well as pet cats and dogs, and helped Anne raise goats and horses. When he wasn’t making pottery, Robert enjoyed golfing with friends. He was a talented cook and took “making it from scratch” seriously, such as grinding the corn to make his famous corn bread.  

A few years ago, the then head of FVCC ceramics department enlisted Robert to return to FVCC as an adjunct faculty member, which he was thrilled to do on the condition he “did no paperwork and wouldn’t use a computer.”  

 Robert’s passion for making pottery included every step of the process: formulating the clay and glazes, throwing, firing and selling. Robert’s work combined functionality with beauty. Many regular customers became lifelong friends. His pottery was featured in galleries across Montana. After 45 years at the wheel, Robert was proud that many people had a piece of his work, whether a bread bowl, pie pan, casserole or coffee mug. He thought he helped make the world a better place when people lived with hand-made crafts.

One customer and friend wrote recently about her favorite Markle mug, “My lips are always kissed every morning with his work ... Think of all the other people who are also touched by his work every day. Not many people can make that claim in life!”  

Robert is survived by all his sisters and brothers, Margaret Sannes, Roger Markle, Nancy Markle and Forrest Markle; by his wife, Anne Scott-Markle; by son, Jeffrey; and by son, Tyler, Tyler’s wife, Lauren, and their two daughters. He is also survived by Anne’s family, who loved him as a brother and uncle and friend. Robert delighted in his family; one of his final tasks was teaching his granddaughters to wink.  

Anne and Tyler invite friends to a potluck celebration of Robert, and of life and community, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Markle homestead (with an open mic from 1 to 2 p.m.).

Robert’s license plate reads, “ILVMYWF.” And we love you too, Robert.