Robert Gene Loop Letourneau, 85
Robert passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
Robert Gene Letourneau was born June 22, 1932, in Minneapolis to Gloria Letourneau.
Robert graduated from Marshall High School in 1951. He participated in various sports, but his first love was baseball. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox after high school but chose to enlist in the Air Force where he spent three years in the Korean War as a lead gunner on a B-29. After the Korean War, he served six years in the Air Force Reserves.
Robert continued to play baseball while in the Air Force, traveling all over Asia to compete against other units. He also played against the touring MLB players that made an appearance in Asia. Robert said that their team bus was a converted World War II B-17.
After being honorably discharged, he was re-introduced to Beverly Dunn, a high school classmate. They were married in 1961. Together they raised two sons. Robert was a devoted son, husband and father that cherished the family life.
In 1959, Robert received his diploma from the Academy of Accounting in Minneapolis. He prepared income taxes for family and friends. He would travel to their homes and provide this service well after he retired. Robert’s day job was with Leef Brothers Industrial Laundry for 25 years. His job consisted of sales and delivery. Robert retired from Leef Brothers in 1995.
After Robert’s playing days ended, he turned to coaching baseball. He started coaching at Farview Park in North Minneapolis. When they moved to Osseo, he moved up to Mickey Mantle and then to the American Legion level. One of his biggest accomplishments was being manager of the 1993 and 1995 American Legion Post No. 172 World Series teams, finishing in third place in 1995. Robert was elected into the Minnesota American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.
In 1995 Robert and Beverly purchased their dream lake home on 3rd Crow Wing Lake in Nevis, Minnesota. Many weekends were spent working on their cabin home, entertaining friends and family, relaxing and fishing. They moved to their lake home full time in 2005. In 2011, they moved to Kalispell to be closer to family.
Robert is survived by his wife Beverly, sons Terry (Kathy), Gregg (Dawn), and other loving relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
A special thank you to the staff at the Montana Veterans Home for providing Robert with such wonderful care.
Please visit www.jgfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.