Robert B. Ekblad, 86

Robert B. Ekblad died peacefully Aug. 13, 2016, at Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center in Polson.

He was born in Hot Springs on Feb. 1, 1930, to Aldrich and Irene (Holt) Ekblad. Robert and his two siblings grew up on the family cattle ranch, graduating from Hot Springs High School in 1947. In 1951, he graduated from Montana State University with a degree in industrial engineering and worked in the aerospace industry in Washington, D.C., and California until he returned to Hot Springs in 1956 to run the Ekblad ranch.

In 1965, Robert hung up his saddle and joined the Equipment Development Center at the Depatment of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service in Missoula. Robert was part of a team that researched, designed, tested and evaluated equipment and products to make them more efficient, safe, or suitable for the Forest Service. This included developing the firefighter’s first emergency fire shelter and improving aerial application of pesticides, using safer and more effective delivery systems tailored for the forestry environment. Many of Robert’s articles, reports, and books have been published and are still available in print. In 1990, he was awarded the USDA Forest Service Chief’s Award for Technology Transfer. Robert retired after 25 years of service with the Forest Service.

Robert was married to his lifelong friend since kindergarten, Phyllis O. Preston, for over 40 years. Their most treasured time was working together to build their Flathead Lake house near Dayton, enjoying life on the lake and tending to their cherry orchard. In retirement, Robert tended for each of his cherry trees and yearly crops with the same intense research and care as he had with his Forest Service projects. He also dabbled in learning the art of making wine with their Flathead cherries.

Robert was an avid skier and loved the slopes of Big Mountain, skiing well into his 70s. In 1989, he and Phyllis participated in the Great Montana Centennial Cattle Drive, riding across the prairie and through the mountains of Montana for six days. They marked their trail drive cow with the original Ekblad “J3” branding iron.

Both Robert and Phyllis were avid supporters of Hot Springs charities, student scholarships, the arts and numerous other Montana philanthropic causes.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis O. Ekblad; his parents, Aldrich and Irene Ekblad; and sisters, Phyllis Lape and Thelma Keen.

He is survived by nephews, David (Pam) Keen and Tim (Kathy) Lape; three nieces, Mary Holyoak (Lee), Linda Clark, and Rita Mark (Dan); a cousin, Tom (Carol) Tibbles; and numerous great-nephews, -nieces, and cousins.

Services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Lonepine Hall at 54 Lonepine Road in Lonepine. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., with the service at 11 a.m. and reception to follow. Burial will begin at 2 p.m. at the Plains Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Hot Springs High School Scholarship fund, 301 Broadway, Hot Springs, MT 59845. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.