Leslie Robert "Bob" Lawellin

1925 - 2014

Leslie Robert "Bob" Lawellin, 89, of Bozeman formerly Livingston, Mont. passed away Aug. 19, 2014 at Spring Meadows in Bozeman. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston. A luncheon will follow the service at the Livingston Elks Lodge. Memorials are preferred to Manhattan Public Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 1223, Manhattan, MT 59741 or a charity that benefits children or animals.

Bob was born on May 17, 1925 in Cripple Creek, Colo. He was the youngest child of Shaderick and Annie (Mero) Lawellin. The Lawellin family moved to Livingston and Bob received his education in Livingston. Bob was called to active military duty in the spring of 1944 serving in the Army. He trained in Texas and was sent to occupy Germany after World War II. He received an Honorable Discharge late in 1946.

On May 10, 1945 Bob married his high school sweetheart, Marilou Rigler in Tyler, Texas where he was serving in the Army. They were married 64 years when Marilou passed away in 2009. When Bob returned from Germany, they settled in Livingston where he worked for the railroad and then began his career with the Montana Power Company. During his career they also lived in Yellowstone Park, Gardiner, Manhattan, Missoula, Great Falls and Belgrade. They returned to Livingston in 1996 and resided there until 2006 when they moved to Billings. Bob moved back to the Gallatin Valley in 2010. Bob worked at Montana Power Company for 32 years and retired in 1988. Bob was a 55-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Club in Livingston.

In high school Bob was an all-state athlete in football and basketball. Bob enjoyed the time he spent coaching Little Guy football and basketball in Livingston with his friend, Ken Spaulding. He also was a high school basketball and football referee for several years. Bob loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed many summer pack trips in the mountains of Montana with his brothers, Joe and Dan, family and friends. Bob also played Western Polo starting in Missoula and later forming a Western Polo Club in Livingston. Watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in sports was very special to him.

Bob is survived by his son, Curt Lawellin of Manhattan; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Dick Fellows of Red Lodge; grandchildren, Brett and Monica Fellows of Billings, Chris and Sue Fellows of Bozeman, Charlie and Angel Lawellin of Manhattan, Amy of Phoenix and April of Bozeman. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Adam and Justin Lawellin of Manhattan, Sally and Libby Fellows of Billings, Caden and Ashley Fellows of Bozeman and Houston, Isiah, Ciara, Perry and Dada of Phoenix. Bob is also survived by his sister-in-laws, Betty Lawellin, Betty Loughridge, and Bobbi (Ryan) Swan and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Marilou; his half-brother, William Lawellin; his half-sisters, Nellie Russell, Minnie Hartman and Pearl Bleth; his sisters, Mary Lawellin, Iva Crawford, Opal Teichert, Ruby Carpenter and his brothers, Dave Lawellin, Dan Lawellin and Joe Lawellin.

Bob was a great husband, father, Papa (to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren), brother, uncle and friend. He will be missed!

Arrangements by the Franzen-Davis Funeral Chapel in Livingston. Online condolences available at www.Franzen-Davis.com.