Robert Cox

Robert M. "Robin" Cox, 60, passed away June 25, 2008 in Polebridge. He was born July 19, 1947 in Cody, Wyo. His parents were Robert M. Cox Sr. of Fries, Va., and Kathryn E. Cox (Hall) of Bismarck, N.D.

Upon completion of his public education, Robin enlisted in the U.S. Army for six years. He spent three years as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division and three as a medic in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). During his military years, he served two tours in Vietnam and was decorated with a Bronze Star. After being discharged from the Army, Robin enrolled in the Physician's Assistant Training Program at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and graduated in 1974. He worked as a physician's assistant in Chamberlain and Lower Brule, S.D., and for the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Robin's passion for the outdoors eventually led to a career with the National Park Service, where he was employed in both Yellowstone and Glacier national parks. He worked as a backcountry ranger, area ranger, field botanist and in resource management as well. Robin obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and went on to do graduate work in botany at Montana State University in Bozeman.

In 1975, he married Valerie K. Levernier of Union, Ill., at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Their son, Samuel L. Cox, was born in 1980.

Robin was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. He is survived by his wife and son, as well as nephew John S. Cooper of Columbia Falls, and nieces Judy Van Auken of Evergreen, Colo., and Sara Flanagan of Bethel, Conn.

Robin had many passions in life, and was an avid backcountry skier, whitewater kayaker and mountain biker. He also enjoyed hunting, fly-fishing, traveling and spending time with his family. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Dale Witty

A celebration of the life of Dale Witty, 72, of Buffalo, Wyo., who passed away early Monday morning, July 14, 2008, at his home south of Buffalo surrounded by his wife and children, will be held Friday, July 18 at 6 p.m. at the Johnson County Fairgrounds Community Building with Pastor Marty Rostad officiating. A dinner will be served following the ceremony. Donations may be made in Dale's name to the Dale Witty Memorial Fund in care of the Adams Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo. A private family interment will take place in the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana.

Dale Ivan Witty was born on April 25, 1936 in Oswego to Teddy and Edith Witty. As a young boy he moved with his family to Columbia Falls, where he grew up and went to school, graduating from Columbia Falls High School in 1955. After high school he worked for Al Green at the Philips 66 station in Columbia Falls. He was married on May 3, 1957 to Haroldeen "Deanie" Leighty and they made their home in Columbia Falls.

Dale went to work for Will Warner in 1963 as a log sawyer where he began his life-long passion of logging. In 1969 a logging accident persuaded him to begin one of the first confined hog operations in the Flathead Valley. They raised hogs until 1975 when he started hauling gravel for Schellinger Construction. In 1978 they moved to Trego, and Dale went back into the woods as a logging contractor. In 1983 they moved to Sheridan, Wyo., where he was a woods boss for Bear Paw Logging. In 1987 Dale went to work for Buckingham Lumber as their primary logger. They moved to Buffalo in 1995 and in 1999 Dale became an over-the-road trucker for Natrona Transfer and Storage. He retired in 2001, but continued his love of timbering by milling lumber for his friends and family. Dale continued living in Buffalo until the time of his death.

He was president of the Montana Pork Producers and was nominated for All American Pork Producer in 1971. Dale was a 4-H Leader, a 1st Sgt. and nine-year member of the Montana National Guard. He taught gymnastics at the Trego School, was a member of the Old Time Fiddlers and a member of the Spruce Beetles Band that played for many community events. Dale loved spending time with his family and being in the woods. He led a very colorful and adventurous life and will always be remembered for his way with a chain saw, a story and endless devotion to his wife, Deanie.

He is survived by his wife, Deanie; two sons, Mike Witty, and Monte and Kathleen Witty, all of Buffalo; three daughters, Susan and George Schmidt of Whitefish, LeAnn and Stephen Wood of Oakley, Calif., and Carmen Witty and her fiance John Christian of Clearmont, Wyo. Dale was also blessed with seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother.

Wyatt Silker

Wyatt B. Silker, 79, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully at his home June 11, 2008, with his loving family surrounding him. The day Wyatt made his decision to come home from the hospital, it snowed three inches, and he was able to watch the snow falling in front of his beautiful mountain one last time. What a perfect ending for an avid skier. He valiantly fought COPD but unexpectedly died from an unknown metastasized cancer. Wyatt is loved and missed beyond description.

Wyatt was born in Iowa and moved to Richland, Wash., in 1950. He began working for General Electric at that time and transferred to Battelle Northwest in 1965. He worked as a senior research scientist and oceanographer.

Wyatt had a dream to retire early, move to Montana and ski as often as he could. In 1978, he met Roberta Beal, who also enjoyed skiing and who shared his dream. In 1982, they married, and their dream became a reality.

They bought an old place in the country with a stunning view of the mountains, and through the years Wyatt moved and rebuilt the entire house. He truly was a "Montana Mountain Man" in his heart, and he loved his chain saw. Wyatt savored his life in Montana, enjoying skiing, wooding, gathering huckleberries and morel mushrooms, viewing birds and wildlife, raising beloved companion dogs and watching sports. A dedicated hunter, Wyatt kept his freezer full.

In Washington, he was involved with the Boy Scouts and the Desert Ski Club for numerous years. In Montana he was a volunteer for the Dream Disabled Ski Program for 24 years, working with clients from Flathead Industries.

Wyatt was best known for his honesty, integrity and generosity, and positively influenced many lives. His terrific sense of humor lifted many spirits. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. His love will continue on as family and friends remember the wonderful times that were shared.

Wyatt is survived by Roberta Silker, his wife and best friend of 26 years; his daughter, Valerie Hamilton, and her husband, Steve, of Kennewick, Wash.; his daughter, Lynn Maras, and her husband, Rick, of Colville, Wash.; his sister, Gwen Selby, and her husband, Jack, of Kennewick, and their families; grandchildren, Jackie Hamilton, Jennifer Hamilton and Derek Easling; and great-grandchildren, Brandy Pratt-Hamilton and Nicholas Carrasco. He also left behind numerous friends and colleagues.

An honoring of Wyatt will be held at 1:30 p.m. on July 19, at his home at 221 Sampson Lane, between Columbia Falls and Kalispell. The Rev. Christa Bourne will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Dream Disabled Ski Program, 997 Glades Drive, Whitefish, MT 59937; or the Grounded Eagle Foundation Inc., 278 Draft Creek Road, Condon, MT 59826.

W.R. Cady

W. R. "Butch" Cady, 84, a long-time resident of the Flathead Valley, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in Las Vegas.

He was born March 14, 1924 in North Dakota.

Butch owned and operated his own construction company with his family for many years. He was a country western singer and spent many nights entertaining throughout the valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; sons, Rick, Mike and Dick; and granddaughter, Erika.

Butch is survived by his daughter, Margie, and son-in-law, Larry, of Las Vegas; daughter, Connie; grandchildren, Meagan and Shawn; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Grace, Ella and A.J. of Columbia Falls; and sisters, Bonnie of Chinook, Jean of Havre, and Beverly.

A funeral service was held Monday, July 14 at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery with military graveside rites.