Robert W. Nolan Jr.

Robert Webb "Rob" Nolan Jr., 90, quietly passed away Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, while in palliative care at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula. Rob was the only child born to Robert Webb Nolan Sr. and Virginia Louise Pierson Nolan on March 23, 1924, in Kalispell. Shortly after Rob's birth and for the next eight years, the Nolans lived to Iowa before settling in Detroit, Michigan. During Rob's youth, every summer was spent in the Superior area with his beloved mother's sister Jo her husband Tom Bailey, original owners of the scenic mountain ranch, "Hole in the Wall." His beloved cousin, Susie Moss of Clarkston, Washington, and her family, among others, survive Rob.

One year after graduating from Central Detroit High School, Rob joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. His basic naval training was completed on Lake Michigan before being sent to the Submarine Chaser Training Center, Miami, Florida, in 1944, he was assigned to the Nav Rec Sta, Orange, Texas, and to the USS Rombach, DE-364 (destroyer escort). In 1946, he joined the Navy Reserve to USNRTC in Butte. In 1950, Rob was RECADU (recalled to active duty) during the Korean conflict with the assignment to Seattle Headquarters 13ND (naval district) for 13 years where he served on several Navy Reserve training ships, notably the USS Charles E. Brannon DE-446 (destroyer escort), which took him to Mexico, San Diego and Alaska. In 1955, Rob was assigned to the Naval Reserve in Great Falls NREF (naval reserve electronics facility); in 1956 he was reassigned for a brief interlude, to the USS Rombach DE-364 stationed in Tacoma, Washington, followed with an assignment on the USS Whitehurst, DE-634. It was during the 1960s and up to his 1971 retirement that he served with the MCB (Mobile Construction Battalion) on the following ships: 1961-62, NAVSTA, Navy No. 3080 (Midway Island, Pacific); 1962, Okinawa, R.I.; 1964, The USS Navarro APA (attack personnel aux.); 1964, US Fleet Post Office, New York; 1966 USS Finch DER-328 PACFLT, Guam; 1967 reenlisted on the USS Finch DER-328; 1968, USS Whitehurst, Seattle; 1969, USS Brush DD-745, Portland, 1969, USS Daniel L. Braine DD-630, Portland; and in1970, USS McMorris DE-1036 to Vietnam and Mekong River. Rob received several noteworthy awards during his distinguished 28-year navy career: six meritorious Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, and the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star. Rob retired in 1971 from the US Navy at NAVSTA Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Rob's post-navy retirement years started with the moving of his elderly parents to live with him in Honolulu. It was during this time Rob held several jobs, i.e. as the inventory control person for the Honolulu Moped Service Center, managed an apartment complex and a movie house. After the passing of Rob's parents, Rob moved to Missoula in the early 1990s. For many years, Rob held the ceremonial post as Commander of the local American Veteran's Bar, now defunct.

Rob lived all his life as well as facing his death with humility, integrity, dignity and extraordinary poise; he was also a highly spiritual person who was looking forward to life in the hereafter. For those of us who truly knew him, we will miss him greatly. Rob enjoyed the many social gatherings, picnics and special AmVet events with his friends and fellow veterans. He was particularly generous in giving monthly financial donations to his favorite charities; especially dear to his heart were several veteran organizations, PBS, SPCA, the Missoula and Montana Food Bank Networks, among others. Friends of Rob would request and encourage you make a donation to a non-profit charity of your choice.

The interment of Rob's ashes will be in the Missoula Veterans Cemetery. A private celebration of Rob's life, to be announced at a later date, will be held by his friends in the coming summer 2015.
Read Robert Nolan Jr.'s Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.