Robert "Bob" Rieker

Robert “Bob” Rieker (Missoula, MT) left this world peacefully the morning of December 12, 2024 with his beloved wife of 74 years, Evelyne, nearby.

 Born March 25, 1930 on a farm near Elgin, North Dakota to Rudolph and Louisa Rieker (Bader), Bob was one of 13 brothers and sisters to call America home their whole life. With frugal beginnings, Bob had a strong work ethic developed through farm life where he focused all his energy after leaving school at around age 13. This was just the beginning of Bob’s self-taught business acumen. Most that knew him can picture days filled with Bob taking in all the information from farmers around him and all the newspapers he could get his hands on in order to increase his knowledge, both in business and in life. Throughout his life these habits helped him make a profit from farming, home furnishings, and even the stock market when others were finding it difficult. 

 Evelyne and he were introduced through his future brother-in-law, Leonard - a best friend from a neighboring farm, and married August 5, 1950.

 Wanting to provide for his family, Bob offered to buy the family farm from Rudolph with a check from the local bank who saw his farming and business skills as a good investment, however his father changed his mind about giving up the farm. As a result, in the spring of 1957 Bob packed up the family and moved in with his aunt in Missoula, Montana. Being the go-getter he always was, he secured a job at Wagner’s home furnishings. There he started at an entry level warehouse job and worked his way to eventually becoming part owner through careful planning with the Wagner family. The Wagner family might as well have been blood for their generosity and kindness to the whole Rieker family throughout the years. The hard work of moving his family to Missoula and his dedication to his career was only accomplished by him wanting to provide a good life to Evelyne and his children: Dave, Don, Duaine, Dale, Denise, and Debby. Believing that all kids deserve a safe place to sleep at night, Bob would also provide that for friends of his children through the years, particularly Guy Gooley who became another member of the family.

 Work wasn’t all that Bob cared about, a true family man at heart. On the weekends during the warm parts of the year he would pack up the car to make the pilgrimage to camp at the Blackfoot River and later the family cabin in Seeley Lake Montana to unplug from his work and restore through no other way but work of a different sort, tinkering with mowers past their prime, boat engines that would sometimes strand him in the middle of the lake, or clearing trees to make sure the cabin was safe for future generations. No matter how hard he worked, he always found time to show each family member they were loved through a game of horseshoes, needed “help” with a chore, one on one time fishing from his boat on Seeley or many other of his favorite lakes in Montana, or just a great one on one chat from his beloved chair. He was always there for all in his own special way, leaving all his family with their treasured pearls of time with him. Both at home and at the cabin, he was most famous for his sour dough pancakes and cabin syrup served with his award-winning homemade sausage which many generations of family and friends enjoyed in community with each other. 

 The only event to rival time at the cabin were Christmases of lutefisk, lefse, fondue, carols, and grandchildren plays - at the conclusion of which he would adorn his Santa suit in the cold garage with a bag with presents to sneak out to the front door in order to deliver presents to his grandchildren on Christmas Eve. This annual event was a place for family and friends to experience the magic of the season. It was also the place where potential suitors to family members would be tested in their ability to handle the conversation and to see if their taste buds could handle the chosen menu.

 As he retired, Bob carved out wintertime to spend with his wife Evelyne during their annual winter retreat to warmer weather in Salome, Arizona where they would meet new friends from across the country and adventure with them on his prized dune buggy in the surrounding desert. They enjoyed activities such as their annual pilgrimage to the National Finals Rodeo, golfing on the community’s par-three course, and dancing together. They truly balanced each other out and loved each other through the end.

 A constant joker, he always got a giggle with his original dad jokes before they were cool. He also could get any baby around to smile with his duck quack that he liked to pull out for those special occasions. 

 Bob was heartbroken by the premature passing of his son Don in 2000, his daughter-in-law Ursula (Syroid) in 2008, adopted grandchild Scott Gooley in 1998, and grandchild Kyle Motl in 2022, among others. You could see a little bit of his spark disappear due to his deep love and compassion for those close members of his tribe.

 Now it’s your time to rest, Bob. We’ve got this, but you can watch with an approving smirk from above knowing that the lessons you passed on were truly taken to heart.

 He is currently enjoying the company of his son Don, grandchild Kyle. Survived by his wife Evelyne of 74 years; his children: Dave, Duaine, Dale, Denise (Epler), Debby; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who each felt his love near and far. Services will be held at a future date to be determined by the family. The family asks that any memorials be made to the American Heart Association in Bob’s name.