Robert E. ‘Buzz’ Berry, 79

Robert E. “Buzz” Berry, 79, of Kalispell, Montana, passed away on March 1, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Buzz was born in Kalispell on Oct. 20, 1943, to E. Elkin and Violet Berry. He spent his early childhood years riding bicycles with a slingshot in his pocket and exploring all the nooks and crannies of Kalispell. In his high school years, he would spend summers working on his Aunt Mary and Uncle Irv’s farm in Flaxville, Montana. He graduated from Flathead High in 1961 and went on to complete a year at Montana State University.

Upon his return to the Flathead Valley, he spent several summers working in Glacier National Park building trails. This resulted in a love and appreciation for the park that would span his lifetime. In 1963, he had the opportunity to purchase Main Street Texaco in downtown Kalispell. He spent 36 years as an honest and highly respected business owner. After hanging up the keys to “the station,” he spent several years as a school bus contractor and driver.

Buzz met Pam in 1969, quickly fell head-over-heels, and they married in 1970. Their unconditional love and devotion to each other grew stronger with every passing year. What a beautiful example they set for their children: patience, kindness, humor, support, and eternal love for each other. While they each enjoyed hobbies of their own, there was no place they’d rather be than with one another. Exploring new parts of the country, field trips around the valley, snowplowing, happy hours on their Arizona patio — it didn’t matter what they were doing, it was all a special part of the wonderful life they created together.

He was a devoted husband, father and eventually, grandfather. Any time he wasn’t at work, he was busy taking his children skiing, coaching their baseball teams, playing in the yard, patiently pulling his children behind the boat at their Lake Blaine summer home, or any other activity that meant time with his family. As much as he loved his children, his grandkids were truly his pride and joy. He was the best Papa to all of them — gentle, loving, supportive, and instilling his quick sense of humor in all of them.

In retirement, Buzz loved going on adventurous road trips, special trips his children planned for him, and playing in golf tournaments. In 2017, Buzz and Pam purchased a winter home in Mesa, Arizona. It was a place that brought them immense happiness — a testament to their years of hard work and raising their family. He loved the sunshine, sitting on their patio, and playing countless rounds of golf at Apache Wells with his close friends, “The Three Amigos.”

Buzz was a man of few words, but when he did talk, you always wanted to be paying attention because it would no doubt be witty and hilarious. He had a nickname for everyone, and always a story to go along with the nickname (yep – that means he had one for you, too!). He was fondly known as the person to call whenever anything needed to be fixed — he could fix anything!

Buzz was proceeded in death by his parents, sister Barbara Murciego, cousins Tom Gibson and Bill Jungers, nephew Tim Murciego, and several aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pam; his six children Bob (Betts), Kelcy (Mark), Jennifer (Steve), Christine (James), Scott (Dawn), and Brian (Chelsea); nine grandchildren, Bryon (Kirsten), Mikaila, Kyle, Emmy, Andrew, Alex, Maddox, Owen, and Bode; one great-grandson, Robby; special nieces and nephews; and countless friends and golf buddies.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in honor of Buzz Berry. A celebration of Buzz’s life will be held in Kalispell on a date to be determined.