Charles Robbins

Charlie passed away on April 30, 2015, at the home of his son Brent in St.
Helens, OR. Charlie was born in Missoula to Charles (Chuck) Robbins Jr. and Pearl
Johnson Robbins on Nov. 15, 1941. He was the first son and second child in what
would grow to be a large and boisterous family.
Charlie attended schools in Missoula and graduated from Missoula County High
School, later Sentinel. He made many friends there, and some of those friendships
have continued until his passing. He married Shirley Stanley in Missoula in 1963 and
they had two sons, Mike and Brent. The couple later divorced.
Over the years, he earned a reputation as a handy person to know, one willing to
help build or repair whatever was needed. He was employed for many years at the
Bonner mill under its various owners. He finished his working life back at Sentinel High
School as part of the maintenance department. One of the greatest pleasures he found
there was the daily interaction with the students and teachers. He liked and respected
them and his feelings were returned.
Charlie lived in Missoula all his life, enjoying the opportunities for fishing, hunting
and camping that are available to anyone fortunate enough to be here. He was also
very interested in the history of this part of Montana and the people who settled in the
area. Many people will remember him as the Rope Man at various historical and
educational gatherings around western Montana. He demonstrated rope making using
his Grandpa Charley's tools, artifacts from the turn of the last century. He especially
enjoyed demonstrating his skills at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula and at
Huckleberry Days in Trout Creek, among others.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves his sons Michael, daughter-
in-law Irene, and grand-daughter Alexandria of Beaverton, Or., and Brent and daughter-
in-law Robin of St. Helens, OR. He is survived by five sisters and five brothers and their
spouses, Karla (Wallace) Long, Missoula; Sandra Robbins, Choteau, MT; James
(Barbara) Robbins, Missoula; Mary Jo (Paul) Wilson, Cranbrook, BC; Michele (Edward
Sawatzki) Robbins, Spokane Valley, WA; William Robbins, Bel Air, MD; Stephen
(Barbara Jacobson) Robbins, Kalispell; Kim (Julie) Robbins, Missoula; Linda (Paul
Johnson) Robbins, Montana City; and Elissa (Edward Walker) Robbins, Hope, ID. He
also leaves seven nieces and nephews. He will be particularly missed by friends Bill
and Linda Stine, Lex Herndon, Kirby Reimers and many others.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 22, at 11:00 at St. Ann's Catholic
Church, Bonner, MT. Following the service, a reception will be held at the church for
family and friends.

Read Charles Robbins 's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.