Obituary - Dr. Robert Paul Christeck

Dr. Robert Paul Christeck, 73 years old, a former Havre resident, died Saturday Jan. 3, 2015, in Reno, Nevada, in a hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Rosary will be Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at 7 p.m., at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home in Havre. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Havre with the Rev. Daniel Wathen officiating.  Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, Wisconsin, with the Church of Resurrection officiating.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Bob's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Bob "Doc" was born Aug. 9, 1941, in Chicago, to Sally (Maki) and Henry Paul Christeck. The family moved to Aurora, Minn., where Bob graduated from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School, and graduated from St. Cloud State College with his Bachelor of Science degree. He started his teaching career at the high school in Wabeno, Wisconsin, and continued his schooling at Wisconsin State University-La Crosse where he received his master's degree in education. Bob then attended the University of South Dakota, receiving his master's degree in natural sciences. 

He married Katherine Kaiser on June 1, 1968, in Wausau, and the couple's union was blessed with four sons. Bob continued his career at Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point, where he taught chemistry. He went on to complete his doctoral degrees in physical inorganic chemistry and education at University of Colorado-Boulder, and attended a post-doctorate program at Wichita State University.

  Bob taught at McCook Community College (Mid-Plains Community College) in McCook, Nebraska. He then accepted a position at Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas, where he taught chemistry and physics. His final opportunity was to teach at Northern Montana College, now known as Montana State University-Northern, in Havre. He was a professor of chemistry, physics and mathematics for 30 years until retirement. The couple recently moved to Reno to be close to their family.

  Bob was active in Boy Scouts for 17 years serving as Cubmaster of Pack 426 and Scoutmaster of Troop 433.  He served as grand knight of the third degree Knights of Columbus and was worthy navigator of the fourth degree K of C's. He will be remembered for his "Chem Magic show" where he performed multiple fun experiments at local elementary schools and events. He also coached Little League baseball and soccer. He enjoyed bowling, camping, fishing and traveling in his RV.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and an infant son. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Katherine; his sons, David Christeck of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Paul Christeck of Billings and Thomas Christeck of Reno; his sisters, Patricia (Robert) Rosenbaum of Forest Lake, Minnesota, and Roxanne (Loren) Sampson of Babbitt, Minnesota; and one granddaughter.