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Robert 'Bob' Arthur Look, 94

| January 14, 2024 12:00 AM

Robert Arthur Look, 94, passed away Jan. 4, 2024, in Kalispell. He was born on May 19, 1929, to Art and Winifred Look in Seattle, Washington.

He moved to the Madrona district where he attended grade school and junior high. Then the family moved to Star Lake, Washington. He graduated from Federal Way High School in 1947, then went on to the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1951. Bob and a friend bought a PT – 26 Army Trainer from World War II for $250 each in 1947. They had a lot of fun flying that plane. 

With one year left of University, he met the love of his life, Mary Jo Jacoby, who was attending Seattle University. They fell immediately in love. So, Bob then sold his half of the plane back to his friend in order to purchase Mary Jo‘s engagement ring. They both finished school and were married on Sept. 22, 1951. They went on to enjoy 72 years of a beautiful marriage.

His first pharmacy job was in Everett, Washington, where the family lived for two years. In 1953 they moved to Mercer Island, Washington, where he joined his father who owned Look’s Pharmacy on Mercer Island. After his father retired, Bob opened his own pharmacy in Issaquah, Washington. He retired at 65 years old. In 2001 he and Mary Jo moved to Whitefish, and then to a senior retirement home in Kalispell, in 2018.

He was active in many sports such as tennis, golf, basketball, bowling, running, fishing, swimming, water, skiing, racquetball and alpine skiing which he did until he was 85 years old. He especially loved playing pool. Nothing better than a great game of eight ball. He was a “pool shark” all his life. So the pool table moved to every home he lived in. He swam for the University of Washington Swim Team. He climbed Mt. Rainier in the early '60s, he was a volunteer fireman for the Mercer Island Fire Department for 15 years. He was a car buff and kept all his cars clean and immaculate. He volunteered for the Habitat of Humanity as a carpenter, building a home for a woman and her children. He was a jack-of-all-trades.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, Norma Ehlers; and two sons, Victor and Matt; and his son-in-law, Steve Catugal. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jo; daughters, Kathy Catugal and Debbie Mallams; son, Paul; son-in-law, Russell Mallams; daughters-in-law, Debbie and Shelley Look; nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews who all loved their Uncle Bob very much.

In retirement he and Mary Jo enjoyed traveling, cruises and fun times with Mary Jo’s sister, Dorothy Sparrell and her husband, Marvin. Bob was a loving and supportive husband and father throughout all his life. He had a sense of humor, always liked a good joke and usually had a new joke to tell. He was always looking to help others in both his personal and business life. 

Funeral services will be held Jan. 20, at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Kalispell. The rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m., with a funeral mass at 11 a.m. and a luncheon to follow. 

Austin Funeral and Cremation Services in Whitefish is caring for the family.