John Robert Nauck

Bob Nauck, Retired Choteau Public Schools vocational-agriculture teacher and long-time Choteau Lions Club member John Robert Nauck, 101, died Nov. 15, 2024, at Benefis Teton Medical Center.

"Mr. Nauck" settled in Choteau in 1949 when he joined the Choteau High School faculty as the vo-ag instructor. Choteau became his only home for the next 75 years, and it benefited greatly from his exemplary community service.

He was born on Sept. 20, 1923, to William and Elizabeth Nauck in Simms, the youngest of four children, whose immigrant parents and grandparents were early homesteaders in the Sun River Valley. His father died when he was 7, forcing his mother to sell the family farm and move her family in with her parents, John and Jessie Ireland.

This strong Scottish family became the foundation upon which Bob built a lifetime of service to his community and country. He began his journey as the 4-H club vice president in Simms Elementary School, and later as the high school senior class vice president.

Upon graduation from Simms High School in 1941, he entered Montana State College at Bozeman and completed his first year in agriculture education before being drafted into the U.S. Army Medical Corps and serving as a medic during World War II. For roughly half of his enlistment, he was stationed at a hospital in Fort Irwin in California. Later, he was transferred to a group called the medical hospital ship platoon. This group of soldiers rode overseas on troop vessels then would load the ships back up with patients to send back to the United States. The Army's medical staff would take care of patients on the trip back to the states.

He was discharged from the Army in 1946 and, with help from the G.I. Bill, resumed his studies at Bozeman, where he graduated in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural education and became the first member of his family to earn an undergraduate degree. In August of that year, he began his 35-year-long career at Choteau High School as the vocational-agriculture teacher.

In 1952 he met Thelma Mae Heldt, who was working in Choteau as an X-ray technician at Teton Memorial Hospital. They were married on Dec. 29, 1952, in Choteau and had two children, Charles born in 1957 and Barbara in 1959.

At CHS, Bob, given the nickname "Brother" by industrial-arts teacher, Charles Allen, was one of only three vocational-agriculture teachers Choteau High School has ever had. He was the CHS FFA chapter adviser and also taught general science and drivers education for a few years. He said what he enjoyed most about teaching was his FFA kids competing in contests and excelling. He took part in designing the vocational-agriculture shop, classroom and office when Choteau built the new high school in the late 1960s. Bob retired from teaching in 1984.

In his younger years, Bob enjoyed lake and ice fishing, often with Mr. Allen. He also enjoyed spending time at the family cabin west of Augusta at Double Falls on the National Forest.

Bob was known for having a dry sense of humor, being a little stubborn and holding definite opinions. As you would expect from an agriculture-education teacher, he kept an immaculate, weed-free lawn during his years as a homeowner.

He and Thelma had 65 years of marriage together, enjoying living in a small town and both working in various ways to make Choteau a great place to live. Thelma died on July 2, 2017, in Choteau after fighting kidney failure for several years.

After Thelma's death, their son moved in with Bob, and they lived as bachelors until Chuck's death on Dec. 6, 2019. Bob then moved into the extended-care wing at BTMC, where he received compassionate care.

Bob joined the Choteau Lions Club on June 1, 1950, and was the club's longest-serving member since the club was established in 1927. He served a term as the president and was the secretary/treasurer of the club for 40-plus years and the chairman of the club's Swimming Pool Committee for 30-plus years.

Throughout his life he also held various leadership positions in the Cub Scouts, FFA, the Montana Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association and was a member of the Choteau City Council. His tireless dedication to the education of Choteau's youth and service to the community set a high standard that few will ever attain.

At 100, Bob and other Montana centenarians were honored in 2023 by the state and Gov. Greg Gianforte. Bob said he firmly believed in the importance of being an active and dedicated citizen, serving one's community with pride. Even after he moved into extended care, Bob continued to contribute to the community as a Lions Club member, occasionally attending meetings outside the hospital. When asked about the secret to his remarkable longevity, Bob attributed it to his unwavering commitment to staying active and maintaining good health. At BTMC, he faithfully rode a stationary bike five days a week.

Bob celebrated his 101st birthday less than two months ago, surrounded by his friends and fellow Choteau Lions at BTMC. It was a memorable celebration in honor of the man who had so humbly served his community for the last 75 years.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, William F. Nauck, Allan W. Nauck and Janette L. Nauck, and his wife and son.

Bob is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Rick Chambers of Anthony, Kansas; his grandson, Kyle (Ruby) Nauck of West Olympia, Washington; his great-granddaughter, Kaira Nauck of West Olympia; and his nephews, William T. Nauck of Naples, Florida, Craig Nauck of Tualatin, Oregon, Robert Smith of Great Falls and Allan Nauck Jr. of Spring Valley, California. He also leaves behind his grand-dog, Dixie Rose, in Kansas.