Robert Edmund Litchfield, 77

Robert Edmund Litchfield, 77 years old, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019.

Born in Dracut, Massachusetts, Dec. 30, 1941, to Harold and Christine Litchfield, Bob was the oldest of four boys. As a child he spent his time with his brothers and cousins swimming and biking on Peaks Island, Maine. He always had a love for music and started playing piano at a young age. Bob loved entertaining people at gatherings with a variety of music from Jerry Lee Lewis to Elvis Presley, as well as original songs he composed himself. Later in life, he was passionate about playing his ukulele and he traveled yearly to Hawaii to play. Bob attended Dracut High where he played football and acquired the name the Mighty Flea; he was small, but strong and quick on his feet.

After high school he moved west to Montana to pursue his dream of becoming a cowboy and attend Rocky Mountain College in Billings. In 1963 he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the United States Naval Academy. He served in the Navy as a Submariner from 1963 to 1969 and was commissioned on the USS Haddock. After his time in the service he returned to Montana and started a career with the United States Postal Service, first in Missoula and then in Whitefish where he ultimately retired in 1992. In addition to being a postmaster, he spent his winter months working on Big Mountain teaching ski lessons.

Bob was wed to Marcia on Feb. 14, 1987. Together they lovingly raised three daughters from previous marriages. They shared 32 years loving life to the fullest together before his passing. The two had many hobbies and interests in common including golf, skiing, playing at their lake cabin and traveling together. They were blessed with many friends to share their time with across the globe.

Bob had a love for life and adventure. He enjoyed spending his time skiing, riding his Harley, traveling with his wife, playing his ukulele, horseback riding, golfing, hunting, fishing, dancing and woodworking. Above all else, Bob loved spending his time with his family. He found joy cheering his grandchildren on in all of their sports and activities. He was proud to be able to teach his grandchildren to ski, hunt and fish. His New England roots ran deep and he cherished the many back shore cookouts on Peaks Island with his brothers, their families, and his numerous cousins, aunts and uncles. Bob was quick to smile and full of life until the end.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Marcia Litchfield; his daughters, Nikki Schriver of Whitefish, Terri Christy (Jason) of Kalispell and Holly Graham (Chris) of Bend, Oregon; his three brothers, Joe, Mark and Dave Litchfield; his grandchildren, Nicole Carpenter (Michael), Cassie and Quintin Schriver, Spencer, Aiden and Kyler Christy, Samuel and Jameson Graham; and his great-grandchildren, Brayden and Monica Carpenter.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation where Bob was an active member.

There will be a celebration of life on July 28.