Bayard R. Van "Bob" Gleson

MISSOULA — Bob Van Gieson of Missoula, passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at St. Patrick Hospital due to complications from open heart surgery at the age of 92.

He was born in Helena on May 21, 1921, to Sanford and Mary Burt Van Gieson. The family lived near Avon where his father owned and operated a ranch and saw mill. They moved to Missoula when Bob was 3.

He attended Willard Elementary School and graduated from Missoula County High School. After high school he worked at various jobs before attending Montana State College, where he studied electrical engineering. When World War II broke out he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.

While in Bozeman he met the love of his life, Helen M. Aubol, and they were married on April 2, 1944, in Roswell, N.M., where he was undergoing flight training. Bob was a B-29 pilot in the Pacific Theater stationed on the island of Tinian. He flew 37 combat missions over Japan. After the war he went into the logging business for a short time, and then resumed his education at the University of Montana, graduating with a degree in forestry.

Bob worked for the U.S Forest Service in various capacities in Rexford, Libby, and Troy, and then as the Forest Ranger at the Condon Ranger District. He was promoted to assistant supervisor of the Custer National Forest in Billings. He was part of the team that placed a register box on top of Granite Peak, the highest point in Montana. He later transferred to the Lolo National Forest as the Assistant Supervisor where he was in charge of timber sales and fire control. As the Northern Region's number one fire boss, he was in charge of fighting several of the largest fires in the area. His crews never had a fire get away from them.

Bob was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many capacities including Bishop of the Missoula First Ward. But his first love was genealogy and working at the church's Family History Center. He loved the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, camping and especially anything with his family.

Bob is survived by Helen, his wife of 69 years, and their four children, Robert [Mary] Van Gieson, Lee [Emily] Van Gieson, Leslie [Darren] Brooksby and Avery [Michelle] Van Gieson; his sister, Marjorie Rasmussen; 18 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; mother; brothers, Francis and Edwin; sister Mary Anita; son Victor and grandson Bryan.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 3201 Bancroft St. Viewing will be in the Relief Society Room at noon.

Read Bayard Van Gleson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.