Robert "Bob" Hoffman

— Robert (Bob) L. Hoffman, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died May 1, 2018 in the home where he resided for the past 57 years.

Bob was born April 30, 1931 to Henry and Emily Hoffman in Wibaux. He was the oldest of six children. He graduated from high school and attended one year of college before leaving to begin work with the telephone company. He was drafted into the US Army Signal Corp in 1953. He spent two years on active duty in Korea where he became a master cable splicer. While in the service he was awarded with the National Defense, Korean, and United Nations service medals. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to the phone company. He spent the next several years installing cable around the state and installed the first working telephone in Glacier Park.

On April 4, 1959, he married Evelyn Burchard in Havre. They moved to Missoula in 1961. Bob continued to work for the phone company until he retired in 1993 after 42 years. He was a member of the IBEW and served as financial secretary for several years.

Bob and Evelyn raised four children in a loving home. Bob was an active member of St. Anthony’s Parish for over 50 years. He volunteered countless hours at parish activities and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also active in Boy Scouts of America and became scout master of Troop 60 in the 1970s. He especially enjoyed leading the scouts on 50-mile hikes and 100-mile river floats. He received the Silver Beaver and St. George Medal for his service to the scouts.

Survivors include sons Joseph (Elizabeth), John (Shelley); daughters Julie (Curtiss) Renn and Anna (Richard) Jeglinski; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, his parents, three brothers, a sister and one great-grandchild.

The celebration of his life will be a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 10 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, with a Vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9 also at the church. There will be a reception following the mass and then internment at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Bob’s sense of humor and devotion to family will be missed by us all. We take solace in the knowledge that he is in the arms of his Heavenly Father. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Montana Council of the Boy Scouts, St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish, or Alzheimer's Foundation.