MALTA-Robert
James Simanton, Jr., died Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at the
Hi-Line Retirement Center of natural causes.Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 25 at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel. Cremation has taken placed at. Condolences for the family may be left at www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com. Kirkwood Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.
Robert James Simanton, Jr., was born August 25, 1922 to Myrtle (Dunn) and Robert James Simanton, Sr., in Malta, Montana. He was raised in the Strater community with two brothers, Dick and Billy, and sister, Donna. While in high school he worked for Fred Robinson at the Ford Garage, and later Malta Auto Company. In 1943 he enrolled in Northern Montana College, earning his Business Degree in 1945. After graduating he returned to Malta and helped his dad on the family sugar beet farm. He was offered a job at Bowdoin Refuge, maintaining equipment. In 1948, e beautiful, young school teacher from Minnesota came to Malta on the train, to teach for one year. Bob caught her eye with his shiny yellow Ford convertible. He and Laura were married on April 30, 1949. His college friend Jimmy Newman offered him a partnership in his Studebaker business in Havre.
In 1950 he had an opportunity to invest in some land on the East side of Bowdoin. He dissolved his partnership with Jimmy and moved back where he spent the next 24 years
working
to develop non-use land into beautiful hay fields, and tree
lined ponds. He raised registered Angus, bred and raced
thoroughbred horses, grew barley and added five children to
their home. In the Spring of 1974, Bob & Laura sold their family
farm and moved to Malta. He then purchased a portion of his
dad’s irrigated place in Strater, and continued to raise cattle
and hay until he sold the land and formally retired in 1996.
Through the years, Bob was a licensed pilot, and owned two Air coupé airplanes, dabbled with HAM radio operations, and bought and sold many cars, trucks and boats. The home of Bob & Laura was always a welcoming place for family, neighbors and their children’s friends to be.
Bob is survived by his wife Laura of 63 years, daughter Robin Losleben (John Smith), sons Steve (Wendy), Scott (Gina) of Malta, Spencer (Jody) of Zortman, Robert James III (Mona) of Romeoville, Illinois, sister Donna (Bill) Main of Missoula, sister-in-laws Janet & June of Malta, 11 grandkids, 12 great-grandkids and numerous nieces and nephews.
Guest Book
From: Betty Plouffe
To the Family of Robert Simanton:
So sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Robert & Betty Plouffe
From: Gordy Simanton
Dear Robin and family, we were very saddened to hear the news of your Father's passing. Just reading about Bob's life, you definitely get the impression of a hard working, dedicated family man with a real talent for taking something and making it better. May the wonderful memories of his life ease your loss during this difficult time.
With heartfelt smypathy,
Gordy, Jennifer, Jessica and Drew Simanton
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