Robert Lee Gendrow

Robert Lee Gendrow, 69, of Milltown, passed peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2015, at St. Patrick Hospital surrounded by his loving family. After a brief but very courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Bob left behind his suffering to be joined with our heavenly father and those gone before him to fish the streams of paradise. All who knew him loved him and will greatly miss him. Though our hearts are full of grief and sorrow, we find comfort knowing he continues to live on in the love and laughter of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren he leaves behind. His family and friends were his most precious treasure; none can deny he was the most generous and selfless man they knew, always quick to lend a hand, sometimes going out of his way to do so, but never a second thought given.

Born Dec. 13, 1945, to Charles and Ruth (Frazer) Gendrow, in Missoula, Bob was a true American hero. At age 16, he became one of the few and the proud when he joined the Marine Corps in 1962. He served three tours in the Vietnam War, and was awarded several medals and a Rifle Marksman Badge. It is fitting and yet bittersweet that he should make his exit on the anniversary of the day Congress ordered the creation of the Corps in 1798.

After returning to the United States he began logging for Paul and Steve Ployhar. On May 2, 1970, he married Juanita Bodak of Opportunity, and became a father to Melinda and Dawn Ann. On Dec. 8, 1970, they had a son, Stephen Lee Gendrow. While residing in Opportunity and Anaconda, he began working installing missile silos in eastern Montana. On April 6, 1976, a second son was born, Jonathan Eugene Gendrow. Shortly after, he began working at Stone Container in Missoula and made the commute daily until moving to Milltown permanently in 1980. He continued his work as an incredible and well-respected millwright until his retirement in 2007.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing the Alaskan seas, camping, playing the guitar and working in his shop. He loved his family and relished the times they spent together.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Juanita; parents, Charles and Ruth Gendrow; stepmother Maude; brother Gene; sister Nancy (Ployhar).

Survivors include daughters, Melinda Koffler of Missoula and Dawn Ann (Bryan) Schmidt of Great Falls; sons, Stephen Gendrow of Lolo and Jonathan (Laurie) Gendrow of Milltown; brother Rick (Judy) Gendrow of Milltown; sister Mary Biech of Missoula; grandchildren, Danny, Tanner, Samantha, Justin, Stephanie, Christie, Robert, Chloe, Brody and Josie; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, in-laws and very special friends.

A private military service was held at Western Montana State Veteran Cemetery on Friday, July 17. A public celebration of Bob's life will be at the Hellgate Lions Barn on Aug. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. for all family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the local food bank or Toys for Tots.
Read Robert Gendrow's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.