Robert E. Giles, 68
Robert E. Giles, 68, of Kalispell passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2023, from ALS with his family surrounding him.
Rob was born on Aug. 29, 1954, in San Bernadino, California to Kenneth Giles and Gail Filipelli. He graduated from San Goronio High School. While living in California Rob raced motocross professionally, was the mountain manager of Snow Valley Ski Resort and drove a county snow plow truck in Lake Tahoe. He also became a licensed electrician before moving to Montana.
Upon moving to Montana in the early 80s, a letter left on the windshield of his truck by Sassy, kept him in Montana the remainder of his life. They were married in 1985. They established Rob Giles Electric together in 1990. Rob found his greatest pleasure in spending time with his family and friends. He was a man of deep faith and truly loved his Canvas church family. The sentimental words and items found in his very worn bible after he passed have brought lots of joyful tears to his family. He lived life always up for any adventure. His winters were always filled with collecting vertical feet on Big Mountain with his family, who he taught to ski. Cody always loved skiing with his Papa Rob. His love of hunting with Jamie and friends was very important to him and only changed over the years from sleeping in wall tents to hunting his favorite ranch in Fort Benton with Jamie and Barrett. He was always up for a hike with Sassy and Jenny's family wherever they asked him to go. After beating cancer in 2002, he bought a mountain bike. His mountain bikes kept getting more expensive but so did his love of putting his helmet on and riding with Sassy. He was an incredible horseman and passed that love onto Jenny and Sassy and then eventually to Bailey. In his spare time he mowed his ridiculously beautiful lawn.
With his wife Sassy by his side they traveled to Israel, Egypt, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain and his most favorite islands in Hawaii and Bora Bora. Together they were Spartan race enthusiasts competing both locally and in Washougal, Washington.
Rob was preceded in death by his dad Ken; brother Danny; and his stepdad Fred.
He is survived by his wife Sassy; son Jamie (Angie) of Kalispell; daughter Jenny (Tyler) of Bigfork; his grandkids who were his pride and joy — Cody, Bailey and Barrett; mom Gail Filipelli; mother-in-law Hilda; siblings Tom, Shelley and Aaron; numerous other family members and friends; special friends Dewayne and Jeannette. He leaves behind his faithful dog Boris and his cat Boo who was a stray that he turned into a house cat.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m., at Canvas Church in Kalispell. All are welcome and we invite everyone to join us at the church following the service for a Mexican (his favorite) lunch and fellowship.