Robert Walter

1931 - 2025

A proud Montanan, Robert "Bob" Walter was born in Bearcreek, MT on July 3,1931 to Lillian and Harry Walter. Siblings included older sisters, Marion and Marie, and a younger brother, Fred. Bob attended school in Red Lodge, MT until the family moved to Billings, MT, where he graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1949.

Bob attended Eastern Montana College until enlisting in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. While in the Air Force, he was a tail gunner on a B-29 bomber and earned the rank of staff sergeant. After being discharged, Bob completed his studies at Montana State University-Bozeman with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Eloping in Red Lodge, Bob married Carol Hefenieder in 1958. During the marriage they welcomed a daughter, Karen "Kari" Walter, and son, Robert "Rob" Walter, and later took great pride in their daughter-in-law Heidi Walter and granddaughters Emilia and Sophia Walter.

A Professional Engineer, as a young man Bob helped his dad build houses in Billings as an apprentice carpenter. Career highlights include: working at General Dynamics in San Diego on the Centaur rocket during the height of the Space Race; returning to Montana to work at Eastern Montana College, eventually as the Director of Physical Plant; and then serving in a similar capacity for the Billings Public Schools. Upon retirement, Bob and Carol moved to Henderson, NV to avoid shoveling snow and slushy springtime streets.

Bob loved learning, always with something in his lap to read, even when watching TV. He enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, studying the geology of the Beartooth Mountains, and genealogy. He skied, fished, and in his younger years, hunted. Bob and Carol's travels included trips to the West Coast, the Eastern Seaboard, Hawaii, Europe, and the Middle East.

Bob is survived by his daughter, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters. Survivors also include nieces and a nephew, and in-laws and their spouses, with whom he would reminisce, laughing about family get togethers and harmless misadventures.

Joint services with his wife, who he predeceased by three days, will be at Mountview Cemetery in Billings, MT at 11 a.m. on October 25, 2025. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a charity of your choice.