Robert Holden

MISSOULA - Robert P. “Bob” Holden, 56, of Missoula, passed away suddenly Monday, December. 8, 2008, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.





He was born January. 25, 1952, in Missoula, a son of Charles and Nora Holden.





He was raised and educated in Missoula, graduating from Loyola Sacred Heart High School in 1970. He attended Carroll College on a football scholarship and then finished getting his degree in education from the University Montana in 1979.





His first teaching job was in Moore, where he taught math and was also the football coach. He started teaching in Missoula at Hellgate High School in 1982, where he taught math and was the sophomore football coach. Throughout his teaching career, Bob coached several sports, was the school activity director and was the vice principle. He moved to Seeley Lake in 2005 and was the principal there until his retirement in 2006. After his retirement, he went to work for Edulog as a computer specialist and was working there at the time of his death. For more than 20 years, he fought fires during the summer for the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.





Bob was an active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, serving all phases of the church. He loved singing with the Missoula Community Choir, golfing and fly-fishing, and could tinker and fix anything.





He is survived by his wife, Kathleen at the family home; parents, Homer and Nora Brown of Missoula; children, Matthew (Stacy) Holden of Missoula, Kelli Bush (Joshua) of Butte, Scott Holden of Missoula, Sarah Wadkins and Melissa Holden, both of Georgia; brothers, Steve (Diane) Holden and David (Kathy), both of Missoula; one sister, Peggy Erickson of Salem, Ore.; 3 1/2 grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.





Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, December. 12, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, with the Rev. Gary Reller as celebrant. A reception will follow in the church social hall with private family burial to take place at the New St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.





Memorials have been suggested to St. Anthony Catholic Church.





Arrangements are under the direction and care of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.

Read Robert Holden's Obituary and Guestbook.