ROBERT PESTER obituary

HINGHAM - Robert R. Pester, 71, Hingham farmer, businessman and former Hill County commissioner, died Saturday, June 19, 2004, at a Havre care center of natural causes.

His funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Havre. A

luncheon will be held immediately after the graveside service at the Mediterranean Room in Havre.

Robert was born on Dec. 16, 1932, in Hingham to Thomas J. and Christine S. (Spinler) Pester. He was raised and educated in Hingham and graduated from Hingham High School in 1951. After completing high school, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War from 1952-1954 in the 82nd Airborne as a heavy drop instructor.

Robert returned to Montana and married Rosalie M. Sylte on Oct. 5, 1957, in Hingham. The couple made their home south of Hingham, where they farmed for many years. Robert was very active in his community and served on many committees for the betterment of the rural area.

In 1957 he was elected to the Hill County Planning Council and helped to designate Beaver Creek Park as the largest county park in the state. He served on many political committees, including the governor's ad hoc committee, Democratic county and state committees, as well as a Hill County commissioner.

Robert was most proud of his accomplishments for farmers which he achieved while acting as president of the Montana Citizen Freight Rate Association and the founder/president of the Montana Farmers Trucking Association. He and others helped to establish lower freight rates and unit trains.

Robert's family was a very large part of his life. He enjoyed spending time with them, barbequing in the summers and cooking holiday meals. He also enjoyed gardening and reading historic novels.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Christine Pester; parents-in-law, Martin and Mary Sylte; brothers, Charlie, Jerry, Joe and Gene Pester.

Survivors include his wife, Rosalie Pester of Hingham; daughter, Robyn Pester of Eugene, Ore .; son, Bruce (Melinda) Pester of Lewistown; granddaughters, Renae and Maranne Pester, both of Lewistown; sisters, Martha (Al) Kiemele of Havre and Rose Mary (Con) Murphy of College Place, Wash .; and brother, Jim (Maryle Lynn) Pester of Rudyard.

Memorials in Robert's honor may be made to the American Heart Association, 510 First Ave. N., Room 114, Great Falls, MT 59501, or to the Northern Montana Care Center, P.O. Box 1231, Havre, MT 59501.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.