Robert 'Bob' DeWitt Fishel, 90
Robert “Bob” DeWitt Fishel, 90, of Kalispell, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at the Brendan House.
Robert was born Feb. 15, 1927, in Wolf Point, Montana, to Marion and Annie Fishel and was the third of 10 children. Robert immediately jumped into work after the sixth grade to help his large family during the Depression. He began his working career for the Great Northern Rail Company working in the roundhouse in Whitefish, until he join the Navy at the age of 17. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946.
Robert returned home to work with his family’s logging company. He then went to work for Somers Mill, and helped with the construction of the Hungry Horse Dam. In 1957 he started his employment at Kalispell General Hospital/Brendan House where he worked for 39 years. Bob was a hardworking individual who always enjoyed working. He had great carpenter skills and he built cabinets for the hospital that are still there today. He was a handy man, helping others in the community keep up on their projects including remodeling homes.
Robert married Delores Dygert in 1950 and together they had three sons. While raising his family, he enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with them, especially creek fishing, huckleberry picking and mushroom picking. Bob and his son Donald planned multiple hunting trips together all over Montana.
After his wife Delores passed away, he met Edie Kaps and they were companions for 21 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores; and sons, Darrel and Duane Fishel; brothers, James, Kenneth and William; and sister, Helen.
Robert is survived by his son, Donald Fishel, of Kalispell; daughter-in-law Genny Fishel; grandsons, Robert and Darrick Fishel; and his five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Marie, Lucille, Josephine and Carol, his brother, Donald; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Robert will be deeply missed by family and friends.
There will be a graveside service in the spring at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery and the time will be announced at a later date.