Robert B. "Bob" Kerrick

Our wonderful dad, grandpa and great-grandpa died on March 4, 2011, at Eagle Cliff Manor. Robert B. "Bob" was born on Oct. 1, 1923, in Hardin, the son of Leslie Dee "Fred" and Ruth Dool Kerrick. He attended school in Hardin and graduated in 1941. Bob was an accomplished athlete, having played football, basketball and especially baseball. His fast pitch and knuckleball would stun many of his competitors.

His baseball career was put on hold when he entered the Army Air Corps in November of 1942 in the midst of WWII. As an engineer-gunner on a B-24 Liberator, he flew more than 30 missions over Germany and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. Attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant, he was honorably discharged in October 1945. He then returned to Hardin, where he resided until 2009. In 1950, he began working as a mail carrier for the postal service, where he stayed until his retirement in December of 1978. He enjoyed walking his daily route and greeting all the people of Hardin.

On May 12, 1953, he married Mary Job and, together, they had four children. The family always knew when it was World Series time, as Dad took time off from work, closed all the drapes, and settled in his chair for the duration along with his brother Cliff. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, reading, crossword puzzles, horseshoes, cribbage, cards and watching his grandchildren grow up. Being a man of few (but very wise) words, Dad was truly one of the greatest generation.

Preceding Bob in death were Mary, his wife of 55 years; his parents; beloved son Robert Jr. "Buster"; and brothers Clifford and Phillip.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Margy (Don) Lehman of Hardin, Mickey Neuharth of Billings and Jan (Richard) Kershaw of Billings; six grandchildren, Shannon Lehman, Bobbi (Chad) Guptill, Gary Lehman, Kerri (Thurman) Gerber, Brandi (Brandon) Montgomery and Brent Neuharth; and seven great-grandchildren, Dyllan and Declan Runnels, Jace and Taiya Guptill, Ethan Gerber, and Kadyn and Grayson Montgomery.

The family cannot adequately express our appreciation to the excellent staff at Eagle Cliff Manor, who took extraordinary and loving care of Dad over the past two years. Thank you, Barb, Rosie, Sarah, Carla, and everyone for making Dad feel at home.

Funeral services will be held at Smith Downtown Chapel at 925 S. 27th St., Billings, at 10 a.m. Monday, March 14. Burial with military honors will follow at the Little Big Horn Battlefield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Big Horn County Historical Society, Route 1, Box 1206A, Hardin, MT 59034.