Ruben Andrew Netzer

July 14, 2013 12:00 am(0) SignaturesMISSOULA – Ruben Andrew Netzer passed away due to injuries sustained in an accident on Thursday, July 11, 2013, surrounded by the loving arms of his family.

Ruben "Rob" was born Oct. 30, 1940, in Missoula at Memorial Hospital. He attended Whittier Elementary School and graduated from Missoula County High School on June 6, 1958. On June 8, 1958, Rob activated for duty in the U.S. Navy and immediately left for boot camp to San Diego, Calif. He served on the Destroyer USS Prichett through 1961, spending much of his time in the Orient, as well as Australia and New Zealand. In 1962, he transitioned to the USS Breckinridge troop transport until honorably discharging in 1965.

Rob met and married Patricia Hallford, and to this union was born a son, Dale Andrew Netzer and a daughter, Michelle Ann Netzer. After Rob's first marriage ended, Rob met and married Sandra Holden Phelps in 1972. This union also included Carrie Michele, Rob Kelly and Jodi Allyn. The family relocated to Arizona for a short time, but eventually returned to Missoula where Rob continued his career as an iron worker assisting in the construction of US Plywood in Bonner. Shortly after completion of the new mill, Rob was employed there, where he remained until retiring from Champion International after 20 years.

Rob was an avid hunter and fisherman and in 2001 achieved one of his goals of catching a sailfish in the Sea of Cortez near Cobo, Mexico. He and his loving wife loved to travel, logging a number of trips to Hawaii as well as the entire West Coast from Alaska to Mexico. They enjoyed their fall trips to Maine and winter trips through the south, usually finding the hottest fishing holes along the way. Additionally, they shared a number of cruises to the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Costa Rica.

Rob loved his wife, five children, 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He instilled honesty and the value of hard work through his motto, "You will not be a liar, a thief or lazy when you leave my house." It has been a joy to hear the positive impressions he left on our friends and the extended family. Rob was a strong and powerful man, who is best remembered for "doing it his way!" Showing just how strong he was, he was an organ donor and was able to help at least 50 individuals. He would have been proud of that.

Rob was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Pearl Netzer; his parents by marriage, Leroy "Buzz" and Dorothy Holden; his sister, Helen Bagley and nephew Randy Wright. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sandra Netzer; his children, Carrie (Doug) Kintzler, Rob (Wendell) Netzer, Jodi (Norman) Schoening, Dale Netzer, Michele Netzer (Schatz) and his sister, Judy Lillian Wright, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service with Military Honors, will be held at Garden City Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 17, at 1 p.m. The family suggests memorials be made to Disabled Veteran's of America.

Read Ruben Netzer's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.