Robert D. ‘Bob’ Schweigert, 78

Robert D. “Bob” Schweigert died peacefully at his home in Kalispell on May 7, 2020, or “5-7-20.” “57” was also bob’s race car number for most of his life.

Bob was born on March 3, 1942 in Baker, Montana to Gwendolyn Seeley and Fred Schweigert. He graduated from Baker High School in 1960. He still holds the scoring record for the most points in a single basketball game. He received a scholarship to Eastern College in Billings. He married Molly Agler and had two sons, Scott and Troy. They later divorced.

Bob worked at D & A Chevrolet as a certified GM mechanic in Baker until the family moved to Polson in 1964. He worked as the parts manager at Courtesy Chevrolet, as well as the manager of Ronan Sporting Goods Snowmobile Shop. He later co-owned the Texaco gas station. Bob’s love of motor sports began racing 280 hydroplanes as well as snowmobiles. In 1969, Bob began racing stock cars in Pablo and Missoula. He continued to race competitively throughout Montana, Idaho, Washington and Canada until 2006. During this time he won the coveted Apple Cup three times and the Montana 200, along with many track championships. He was inducted into the Northwestern Montana Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame. This sport lost a tough and fair competitor and will be missed by so many lifelong friends he met in the sport he loved.

Bob moved to Kalispell in 1970. He was involved in building the Gateway West Mall, and Libby and Hungry Horse dams. In 1976 Bob started his own construction business with steel buildings and concrete, which included doing all the concrete at his hometown track raceway park. Bob could outwork most men half his age. Bob enjoyed his work as he made many longtime friends from all his clients over the years. Bob’s kind heart and many skills always came to the aid of his family and friends.

In 1982, Bob married Sherry Mcdowell. Together they raised Billy and Michelle Salmonsen. They later divorced.

In 1994, Bob met Jody Hartman and they were married from 1999 to the present. Bob and Jody shared so many happy times together with family and friends, whether it was at home, the shop or the race track. He loved us all dearly.

He will be remembered for his mischievous grin and the twinkle in his eye.

Bob is preceded in death by his father Fred and stepmother Florence Schweigert; brother Val Schweigert; brother-in-law Arnie Uecker; and in-laws Brownie and Marie Hartman.

Bob is survived by his wife Jo Ann “Jody” Schweigert; his mother Gwen Setinc of Baker; his siblings: Ken (Bev) Schweigert, Tana (Greg) Greene of Kalispell, Sharon Uecker, Craig (Brenda) Setinc of Billings, Pam (Tom) Owens of Baker; his children: Scott and Troy (Brandy) Schweigert; Billy (Stacey) Salmonsen; Michelle (Rob) Morris, all of Kalispell; grandchildren: Kyle, Tylor, Page and Danika Schweigert; Tanner, Tucker and Tori Salmonsen; Jacob and Dylan Morris; brother-in-law Todd (Sumiko) Hartman; sister-in-law Jean Larson and 21 nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, support and prayers. There are no words to express how grateful we are and humbled by this show of love and compassion.

A memorial celebration of Bob’s life is planned for early September. Location and date will be announced at a later time.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.