Robert Thomas Bricker

Robert Thomas Bricker

Robert Thomas "Bob" Bricker, 64, passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. His funeral service will be 2 p. m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with Pastor Terry Dunn officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at the Highland Cemetery. Memorials in Robert's honor may be made to the Montana State University-Northern Foundation, C/O Robert T. Bricker Endowment, P.O. Box 1691, Havre, MT 59501. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Robert was born June 13, 1946, in Lewistown, Mont., to David and Catherine (Walford) Bricker. He was raised and educated in Moore, Mont., graduating from Moore High School in 1964. He enlisted in the United States Air National Guard from 1964 to 1979. He attended Northern Montana College and graduated in 1970. It was in college that he met the love of his life Darlene Duty and the couple married Nov. 20, 1971, in Havre. Together they made their home in Havre and raised their three children Damon, Aaron and Amy. Bob worked for Hill County Electric from 1971 to 1978. He then went to work for Duty Construction from 1979 to 1987 and then went out on his own and established Independent Inspection Company which he operated from 1987 until the present.

Bob was actively involved in the Havre community. He served as past president of the MSU-Northern Foundation and was a recipient of MSU-Northern's Excellence Award. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge #55, the Algeria Shrine and the Royal Order of Jesters Helena Court. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as trap shooting, golfing and skiing. He particularly loved to follow and support all MSU-Northern athletics. Bob's grandchildren were the light of his life. He enjoyed his six granddaughters and one grandson. The highlights for Bob this year were receiving an honorary award at the 10th Annual Legends for Lights Pheasant Hunt and attending the Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas. This disease did not take away Bob's optimism or his enjoyment of family and friends. Bob could regularly be seen around town with his beloved companion "Buddy. "

He was preceded in death by his twin sister, Priscilla Martin; his parents, Gene and Catherine Bricker; his brother, Charles Bricker; his father-in-law, Marvin Duty; and his sister-in-law, Carlene Scharfe.

Bob is survived by his wife of 39 years Darlene Bricker, his children Damon (Eleanor) Bricker of Havre, Mont. ; Aaron (Heather) Bricker of Great Falls, Mont. ; and Amy (Rick) Reynolds of Keller, Texas; grandchildren, Cortney, Riley, Hannah, Reese, Chloe, Harley and Ryan; his devoted companion "Buddy" the dog; his brother, Earl (Debbie) Bricker of Moore, Mont. ; mother-in-law Velda Duty of Havre, Mont. ; sister-in-law Debbie (Bob) Deery of Tuscon, Ariz. ; and brother-in-law Dick (Vickie) Scharfe of Missoula, Mont. ; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends.

Robert Thomas "Bob" Bricker, 64, passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. His funeral service will be 2 p. m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with Pastor Terry Dunn officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at the Highland Cemetery. Memorials in Robert's honor may be made to the Montana State University-Northern Foundation, C/O Robert T. Bricker Endowment, P.O. Box 1691, Havre, MT 59501. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Robert was born June 13, 1946, in Lewistown, Mont., to David and Catherine (Walford) Bricker. He was raised and educated in Moore, Mont., graduating from Moore High School in 1964. He enlisted in the United States Air National Guard from 1964 to 1979. He attended Northern Montana College and graduated in 1970. It was in college that he met the love of his life Darlene Duty and the couple married Nov. 20, 1971, in Havre. Together they made their home in Havre and raised their three children Damon, Aaron and Amy. Bob worked for Hill County Electric from 1971 to 1978. He then went to work for Duty Construction from 1979 to 1987 and then went out on his own and established Independent Inspection Company which he operated from 1987 until the present.

Bob was actively involved in the Havre community. He served as past president of the MSU-Northern Foundation and was a recipient of MSU-Northern's Excellence Award. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge #55, the Algeria Shrine and the Royal Order of Jesters Helena Court. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as trap shooting, golfing and skiing. He particularly loved to follow and support all MSU-Northern athletics. Bob's grandchildren were the light of his life. He enjoyed his six granddaughters and one grandson. The highlights for Bob this year were receiving an honorary award at the 10th Annual Legends for Lights Pheasant Hunt and attending the Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas. This disease did not take away Bob's optimism or his enjoyment of family and friends. Bob could regularly be seen around town with his beloved companion "Buddy. "

He was preceded in death by his twin sister, Priscilla Martin; his parents, Gene and Catherine Bricker; his brother, Charles Bricker; his father-in-law, Marvin Duty; and his sister-in-law, Carlene Scharfe.

Bob is survived by his wife of 39 years Darlene Bricker, his children Damon (Eleanor) Bricker of Havre, Mont. ; Aaron (Heather) Bricker of Great Falls, Mont. ; and Amy (Rick) Reynolds of Keller, Texas; grandchildren, Cortney, Riley, Hannah, Reese, Chloe, Harley and Ryan; his devoted companion "Buddy" the dog; his brother, Earl (Debbie) Bricker of Moore, Mont. ; mother-in-law Velda Duty of Havre, Mont. ; sister-in-law Debbie (Bob) Deery of Tuscon, Ariz. ; and brother-in-law Dick (Vickie) Scharfe of Missoula, Mont. ; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends.