Robert Sizemore

Robert (Bob) Sizemore passed away on March 12, 2013, in Billings, Mont., after a brave nine-month battle with bladder cancer. Father, grandfather, friend, parish member and community supporter of Chinook and the Hi-Line, will be missed by many.

Robert Harry Sizemore was born the sixth of seven children on Nov. 8, 1932, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Elizabeth Catherine Mills and Talbert Berry Sizemore. Childhood in the Sayler Park neighborhood of big families was good.

When Bob was 14, the family lost their father on his job as an engineer on the river. Bob found a way to financially help his mother by enlisting in the United States Air Force on his 17th birthday with her permission. He finished high school and received cryptographic training to become a teletype operator serving in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War. Later he was stationed at the 779th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron radar station in Opheim, Mont.

After being discharged, Bob worked for the Glasgow Police Commission for a short time until the police chief's brother asked if he could hire him to sell Chevrolets. Car sales led him to selling insurance to car companies and their employees. As the only child away from home, Bob returned to Cincinnati with Ford Motor Credit. Only nine months later, he missed the Montana people and was invited to join the First National Bank of Glasgow to help create a wholesale/retail department on July 5, 1957.

On Nov. 22, 1958, he married Marjorie Faith Wirth from Richey, Mont., and together they had four children. He completed correspondence classes with a Midwest banking school and spent 15 years in Glasgow as a loan officer. Bob's passion for flying was fulfilled when the bank asked him to fly and deliver Cessna planes from the factory to the customers.

There were many great family friends in Glasgow sharing hours at Fort Peck Lake, fishing, waterskiing and camping, neighborhood gatherings and Santa visits. Bob's work in the community included Jaycees, Glasgow City Council, Chamber of Commerce Presidency, Airport Commission, Elks Club, Knights of Columbus and Director of Military Affairs for the Glasgow Air Force Base until it closed.

In 1972 Bob was hired as President of Western Bank of Chinook. In 1984, he served as President of the Montana Bankers Association. "Banker Bob," to many, made 50 years of banking a lifelong passion at the state and local level.

In Chinook, Bob enjoyed being President of the Lions Club, Commander of the American Legion Post 48 and being a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He loved promoting the Wildlife Museum, Blaine County Museum, the Senior Center and sharing the "word and communion" with the Sweet Nursing Home residents. As a member, St. Gabriel's Parish was close to Bob's heart. Serving on the council, charitable and project support were all part of keeping the community vibrant. Bob visited many parishes around the state and any part of the country he might travel. He never met a stranger and knew everyone or at least someone related to everyone.

He is survived by his sister Jean Powers of Cincinnati, Ohio; many nieces and nephews and their children; his loyal canine companion, Moses; and his four children, Cynthia Braden (husband Steven), Trent Sizemore (wife Konnie) and children, Christian (wife Elizabeth and great-grandchild Cabrin) Joshua, Kalli and Kenzie; Spencer Sizemore (wife Tracey) and children Katherine, Shelby, Shea and Trenton; SuZanne Olesen (husband David) and children Logan and Kensington, and many lifelong dear friends and colleagues he has never forgotten in his 80 years.

A funeral vigil will be held on Friday, March 15, at St. Gabriel's Parish in Chinook, Mont., at 7 p.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. The Mass of Christian burial is Saturday, March 16, at 11 a.m. Committal will be in the Kuper Memorial Cemetery. Please join the family for a luncheon reception celebrating Bob's life in the Parish Hall.

Memorials may be made to the Kuper Memorial Cemetery Maintenance Fund (a private, dedicated fund restricted for maintaining the cemetery), PO Box 1594, Chinook, MT 59523.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.

Bob Sizemore