Bob Gesek

Bob Gesek, 88, passed away July 8 at the Columbia Falls Veterans Home. Bob was born in Spokane, Wash., on March 28, 1927 to Arthur Gesek and Agnes Brinks.

Bob had three younger sisters, was raised on a farm where he “surely got up at 4 a.m. every day and milked 100 cows before walking 10 miles to school and in the snow!”

Three days after turning 18 he signed up for the coast guard, “against his father’s wishes,” to represent the family. He served in the Pacific and saw the end of World War II.

Returning to Spokane he trained as an electrician and moved to Montana working construction on Hungry Horse Dam. It was here he met Patricia (Pat) Wedgwood who was on summer break from college. She was living with her parents at the Veterans Home in Columbia Falls where her father was the commander.

Being young, in love, and adventurous, they married, moved into a little house on the river without water. Soon they bought a log home in Martin City and lived happily for several years until building a home on the North Fork and moving.

Bob worked at Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. for several years before he and Pat went into their own business, Gesek Electric on Nucleus in Columbia Falls. During these years they had six children, Steve, Diane, Mike, Patty, Joanne and Bobby.

They were committed to God, family and community and very active in business and civic organizations and church. Bob coached kids basketball and boxing for St. Richards Parish.

Between picnics and berry picking the kids were taught many “important” life lessons:

“Close the door, you were not born in a barn!”

“Money does not grow on trees!”

“Do not forget where you are from and who you belong to!”

Every summer Bob had two gardens and loved to work in them. Every fall the swing set turned into a meat hanger for either wild game or butchered cow or hog. Every Christmas the roof of the house was bright with lights and filled with trees and Santa.

In 1969, a second store was opened in Whitefish and the family moved there a year later, transforming the doctor clinic above the store into living quarters. Once again they were very involved in the community. Bob loved his customers. He was often called out in the middle of the night in freezing temperatures to repair a broken furnace. He never complained and always wanted to help.

Bob and Pat enjoyed fishing in their pontoon boat and traveling in their motor home with friends during these years.

A highlight for Bob while living in Whitefish was becoming the Winter Carnival King 1980 and making merry!

Mike Gesek, Bob’s son, eventually took over the business and Bob retired in 1989 when Pat passed away.

Good fortune came to Bob when he met Margaret Shanahan of Whitefish and love and joy came to him when they married in 1994. They continued to live in Whitefish for several years before moving to Columbia Falls where they made a beautiful home and yard and enjoyed hobbies.

One hobby they both loved was mushrooming, picking berries, and drives in Glacier National Park.

Although Bob lost Margaret in 2008, and previously Pat and five children, he kept his faith saying “God has a plan.” He continued to love, and cherish life and family and friends. His family continues to grow with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will miss his gentle, kind, compassionate spirit. They will even miss losing their money to grandpa in poker.

Bob’s grandkids, Ryan, Steven, Tracy, Shelly, Trisha, Mike, Theresa, and Jake; great-grandkids, Odessa, McKenzie, Delaney, MaKenna, Kylie, Leila, Cora, Hannah, Mike Jr., Kale and Kaison; sons-in-law, Steve and Don; step-daughter, Mary, and step-son, Tom, and daughter, Patty would like to thank all his many friends and neighbors who watched over Bob when he lived alone. Shoveling two feet of snow could only be done by angels.

We are also extremely grateful to the Veterans Administration and all the caring compassionate caretakers in the Flathead Healthcare system. They made it possible for Bob to stay in his home as long as possible. Brendan House, the Veterans Home, Meals on Wheels, and all the staff can’t be thanked enough. Flathead Valley is very lucky to have them all.

A funeral mass will be held for Robert on Monday, July 20 at 10 a.m. at St. Richards Catholic Church, a luncheon will follow mass from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and a graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. at St. Richards catholic cemetery in Columbia Falls.

There has been a change to the schedule for the visitation for Bob. On Sunday, July 19, the viewing will be 3 to 5 p.m. at Columbia Mortuary and there will be a vigil at 5 p.m.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Bob’s family.