Robert N. Dellwo, "Bob" passed away Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 8:00 pm in Plentywood, Montana. He was born in Conrad Montana on August 1, 1924. He was born the second of 7 children to Thomas Dellwo and Helen Corcoran Dellwo. Bob and his brother Jim were just over one year apart and being the first two kids in the family, this fact would be a teasing point between them for the rest of their lives. Later in life, after both had lost their wives, they would again live together in the same retirement home. Jim again watching out for his "younger" brother.
Tom and Helen, Bob's mother and father, raised their family throughout the 1920's, 30's, and 40's. During that time Tom and Helen worked on various farms and ranches around Choteau. Tom was the Sheriff of Teton County from 1955 to 1958. Bob grew up in Choteau with his siblings; Jim (oldest), Bob, Connie, Margaret, Gordon, Larry and Annetta. While attending Teton High school, he was a letter man in football.
Bob volunteered to serve in WWII in 1942 and served until 1946. He served most of his time in the service as a Navy Airman FC (He was a Radio Man on a Dive bomber) on the USS Yorktown CV-10. During his service he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross 2 times among other more typical awards. He went down twice into the ocean during battle.
Bob has always been a fun-loving person. Teasing and joking with friends and family. Bob and Helen participated in many house parties and both loved to have drinks with friends, playing cards and having fun. Just out of the service and after his return from Texas there were many evenings of fun at Clod. He enjoyed life with friends and family.
Bob married Helen Edith Reiquam in 1946 on January 14th. His wife and he were married until her death on December 27th 2003. They began their lives together in Choteau and moved quickly to Port Arthur Texas for 1 year where Bob went to a school to become radio announcer (he never pursued this occupation) and Helen was a book keeper for a local oil company. Bob and Helen moved back to Choteau a year later after the radio school closed amid the increasing popularity of the Television. Upon their return, Bob drove an oil truck for a few years, driving from ranch to farm trying to make a sale. After selling oil he was given the opportunity to sell cars for Jim Mulaney and Tor Ruderal at the Ford dealership in Choteau. He and Helen would later buy the dealership and Ford's by Bob lasted for about 12 years as their family grew. Through his dealership in Choteau, he enjoyed being a part of the business community. He played town baseball and sponsored the local Punt Pass and Kick program.
Bob and Helen had 4 children. David Reiquam Dellwo, Robert Michael Dellwo "Mike", Jamie Nichola Dellwo (the apple of his eye) and Douglas Charles Dellwo.
In 1968, Helen and Bob moved their family to Helena where they lived for 8 years. He sold cars at Capitol Ford, and later owned a truck business and a septic tank cleaning business. In 1976 he and Helen bought a Bar and Restaurant at a country intersection where highway 200 and 287 meet. They ran Bowman's Corner, 20 miles outside of Augusta, until 1992.
As they entered their retirement years Bob and Helen particularly loved being around their 22 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In 1992 they moved to Choteau and lived there together until 2003 and Helen's death. While being Catholic had always been important to him, it became a solace after the death of his wife, Helen. For the next 10 years he lived in his home alone. He was a wood worker and a gardener in retirement. Bob loved golfing with his brother Gordon. He especially enjoyed making oak flag cases used to display flags given to veterans upon their death.
In 2013 he moved into Skyline Retirement Home and lived there with his brother Jim for the next 3 years.
At the end of his life he was happy to be able to live in a nursing home close to his daughter Jamie. He saw her twice each day and they would often look through pictures and she would reminisce as a means of helping him negotiate the trials of dementia. One thing he would never doubt or forget was that he was loved.
Celebration of life services will take place Monday December 17, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Choteau Montana.
Internment will take place on Tuesday December 18, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Montana State Veteran's Cemetery at Fort Harrison in Helena Montana.