Bob and Sally Mutch

Bob Mutch

Robert "Bob" Mutch passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 18, 2024, at the Big Horn Rehabilitation and Care Center in Sheridan, Wyoming. He had moved to Sheridan from Missoula, Montana in November 2023 to be with his sons, Dale and Brian, as his health declined due to congestive heart failure.

Bob was born on March 5, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Earl and Nellie Mutch. He graduated from Orange High School in 1952 and attended Albion College in Michigan, where he earned a B.A. in Biology and English and played football. It was there that he met Sara "Sally" Ball, and they married in September 1956. The couple then drove cross-country to Montana, where Bob had worked seasonally as a smokejumper in 1954-55. They both enrolled at the University of Montana, where Bob earned an M.S. in Forestry in 1959.

From 1959 to 1960, Bob and Sally lived at the Priest River Experimental Forest in Idaho, where Bob worked as Superintendent. Their daughter Linda was born in Sandpoint, Idaho in 1960, and shortly thereafter, Bob joined the Northern Forest Fire Laboratory in Missoula. From 1960 to 1977, he conducted pioneering research on wildland fuels and fire behavior.

Bob's sons, Dale and Brian, were born in 1962 and 1964. As a family, they enjoyed camping, hiking, bicycling, skiing, and outdoor adventures throughout the West. Bob passed his passion for hunting and for fishing on to his sons, who also developed a lifelong pursuit of falconry. He took the family on numerous fishing expeditions to Alaska, and Bob introduced Linda to backpacking and fieldwork in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, fostering her interest in outdoor careers.

In 1970, Bob and colleagues launched a groundbreaking project to allow lightning-caused fires to play a natural role in wilderness ecosystems. Their study in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness led to the first U.S. Forest Service Wilderness Fire Management Plan, which was approved in 1972.

In 1977, Bob shifted from research to fire management at Lolo National Forest, where he worked on prescribed burning projects, fire management policies, and forest planning. In the early 1980s, he became Fire Use Specialist for the Northern Region, assisting national forests in the development of fuel management programs and expanding the wilderness fire program.

From 1986 to 1991, Bob served as Program Manager for the Forest Service's Disaster Assistance Support Program in Washington, D.C., providing international assistance in disaster preparedness, fire management, and emergency relief. His work took him to Spain, Senegal, Switzerland, and Costa Rica.

Bob returned to Montana as Technology Transfer Specialist at the Intermountain Forest Fire Laboratory in 1991, where he worked until retiring in 1994. In this role, he shared the latest fire research with agencies worldwide, including conducting workshops and field training in Brazil.

Though retired, Bob continued to consult on fire management and firefighter safety internationally. He often spoke of his life's purpose: striving for "harmony between people and ecosystems."

Bob was beloved by his colleagues in the fire management community; he received numerous awards for his work. His contributions to fire science and management left a lasting legacy.

His family and friends will miss his enthusiasm for life and generous spirit. He is survived by his sons Dale and Brian, daughter Linda (Tony Caprio), grandson Dillon, nephews Andr�, Thomas, and Teddy Mutch, sister-in-law Kathy Mutch, and his loyal black lab, Cassie. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sally, brother John, and niece Viera.

Sara "SALLY" Mutch

Sara (Sally) Mutch died on October 9, 2021 in Missoula, Montana. She succumbed to Parkinson's Disease after 14 years. She remained positive and courageous through even the most difficult times of her illness.

Sally was born October 18, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan, to Graydon and Josephine Ball. She spent most of her childhood in Ohio and attended Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Following high school, she attended Albion College in Michigan, where she majored in English, pursued ballet, and formed lifelong friendships. She met and dated Bob Mutch at Albion, and they were married September 8, 1956. Shortly afterward, they drove cross-country to Montana, where Bob had worked seasonally for the Forest Service. They enrolled in the University of Montana to continue their studies. Sally continued her ballet interests at UM and danced in several performances. After graduating with a B.A. in English Literature, Sally taught English at Sentinel High School in Missoula.

Sally and Bob raised three children, a daughter Linda, and two sons, Dale and Brian. While Sally left her full-time teaching to focus on her family, she later worked part-time in a local bookstore, served as a lay reader grading university English papers, and substitute taught English at Hellgate High School. Sally was athletic and loved the outdoors. She enjoyed many tennis matches with her friends, and loved to hike, bicycle, and ski. Sally was an avid gardener, and her yard was graced with beautiful flower beds and a well-tended vegetable garden. She had a sense of beauty and design, and enjoyed sewing, other crafts, and home improvement projects like wallpapering and re-finishing old dressers or chests.

Throughout her life, Sally loved animals, and had a particular passion for caring for and rescuing dogs and cats. She volunteered at the local Humane Society animal shelter, where she regularly exercised dogs and supported the Pennies for Pets fundraising program. She cared for many fortunate family pets over the years, including a beloved horse, many dogs, and numerous cats.

Sally and Bob cultivated a deep love of nature in their children, who all went on to pursue outdoor careers, working with wildlife or national parks, and continue to enjoy pursuits like falconry, fishing, hiking, camping, and being in the mountains as much as possible.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Gary Ball and sister-in-law Marlene; and her brother-in-law John Mutch. She is survived by her husband, Bob and her children Linda (Tony Caprio), Dale, and Brian; her grandson Dillon Mutch; her nephews and niece Andre, Teddy, Thomas, and Viera Mutch; her sister-in-law Katia (Kathy) Mutch; and dear black lab Cassie.

Sally's family thanks Home Instead, Hospice of Missoula, and Edgewood Memory Care for their loving care and support.

Sally was generous and devoted to family, friends, and pets. Her smile could light up the room. We will dearly miss her kindness, warmth, and quiet strength, and will cherish her memory and let it live on.