Robert A. Volk

Robert A. Volk, 84, an Air Force veteran and retired rancher and farmer, died of prostate cancer Sunday, May 1, at Peace Hospice.

Funeral Liturgy is 2 p.m. today at St Joseph's Catholic Church, with burial of ashes in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Cremation took place under the direction of O'Connor Funeral Home.

Bob was born in Great Falls on July 2, 1926, the son of Christian Alvin and Elsie Mary (Hensler) Volk. He and his sisters, (Marjorie Mathison of Dutton, Bernice Hanley of Great Falls, and Marilyn Brass of Helena), spent many summers in Lincoln, where Bob spent his time hanging out at his Uncle Tom Hensler's sawmill, fascinated mostly by the steam engine that ran the mill. He had a lifelong love of all things steam, and at least once a year took his family to walk around the Mehmke Collection of Steam Tractors. He also attended several Steam Oregon events with his children. One year, Bob harvested a field of wheat with a binder he repaired, and gathered the sheaves. He repaired a threshing machine as well, and his friend Clarence Young brought one of his steam engines to the ranch for a neighborhood threshing party.

At age 16, Bob went to live on the Hensler homestead south of Great Falls in the Eden area, with his uncles Ben and Jack Hensler, and began his life as a rancher and farmer.

He married Patricia Schulze on Jan. 4, 1958, in Oak Park, Ill.; they had been corresponding and she came to Montana to check him out; a true romantic, he proposed by saying to Pat, "I guess I better marry you."

Bob and Pat had four children, Laurie Elizabeth Volk (Guillermo) of Portland, Ore., Robert Christian (Robbin) of Klamath Falls, Ore., Bernard William (Susan) of Pasco, Wash., and John Patrick of Portland. Bob was a good hus-band to his wife, and steward of his land and cattle.

Bob served in the Air Force as a radio technician. He was a 4-H leader, served on the Centerville school board and was a member of the Foothills Livestock Associa-tion. He always called himself a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none, but those who knew him would disagree.

Bob retired from ranching and moved to Great Falls in 1985. He worked for Jacobs Livestock until he fully retired. At this time, he took up the role as the master aluminum can recycler of Central Avenue West. On his daily walk, he did his bit for the environment and made new friends. Many didn't know him personally, but would wave to him every day he made his familiar walk down Central. He and Pat were regulars at the Double Barrel and Lippi's.

Bob is survived by his wife; children; sisters; and grandchildren Kindra, Robby, Tommy and Kristin (Chris), Libby and Regan (Ben).

The family suggests donations for a memorial paver to Sletten Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 7008, Great Falls MT 59406.

Condolences may be posted online at www.oconnorfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.