Robert "Bob" Burke

1932 - 2026

Robert "Bob" Burke, 93

Robert Francis (Bob) Burke passed away in his home on Saturday March 7 after 93 good years of life. He was with loved ones during his final hours and loved by the Lord who sustained him throughout his life. He will be sorely missed by family, friends and professional acquaintances in Missoula and throughout the state. Bob was one of a kind and loved deeply by many.

Bob was born on April 4, 1932, in Butte and was the middle child in a Butte Irish Catholic family of five. Parents John J. Burke, a banker, and Mary (Hubber) Burke raised their brood on Butte's west side on Mercury Street. As kids Bob and his older brother Jack roamed the neighborhood, played ball and hung out with pals. They got into an altercation or two with Bob in the thick of it and Jack coaching him through. Dad said that he learned a lot from folks in the neighborhood such as sports, shooting, scouting and other skills that made Butte a good place to grow up.

Bob learned how to ride horses from his father and when the family went to the Hirschy ranch in the Big Hole Valley. Both Bob and Jack became well versed on riding western, cattle herding, and learning how to put up loose hay. Other outdoor adventures on Echo Lake and elsewhere gave Bob a love of the wilds of Montana. Bob was close with Jack throughout his entire life, and they had a bond like no other.

When little sister Anne came along, the family was complete. All three siblings were close for most of their lives and when Anne and her family returned to Montana in the summers for visits, the three siblings would carry on what was happening around Butte.

Irish heritage as you know, gave Bob a sense of pride and obviously provided a backdrop to tell a great story, and it made him a great conversationalist all his life. Bob's saying was "You can tell an Irishman, but you can't tell him much," was never more true. He was a good catholic and throughout his life was a member of many parishes in western Montana. He attended grade school such as St Ann's and graduated from Butte High School in June of 1950.

The next stop was the University of Montana in Missoula where he graduated in 1954 with a degree in Business. While there he joined the Sigma Nu fraternity and enjoy Greek life with many brothers who became life-long friends. Next door was the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and as a houseboy Bob spotted and pursued a very cute blonde girl from Great Falls, Marlene Cresien. They were quickly smitten and love bloomed for both during college.

During Bob's tenure as a Theta houseboy, a curious event occurred that was known as 'Who put the horse in Miss Param's Parlor?' As the story goes, unnamed culprits led a horse into the sorority one evening as a surprise for the girls who discovered it the next morning standing under the dining room chandelier. No damage occurred and the horse was led away unscathed. Bob's consistent recollection of the story always ended with no idea who the culprits were. As this mischievous event fades into UM Greek history, with regret, Griz alum present and future will be without a sense of closure since the parties involved are still unknown.

With the completion of college Bob and Marlene married in 1954 and he completed his three years active duty as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force finishing as a 1st Lieutenant. Bobby (Bob Jr) was the first of 4 boys, then Daniel, Timothy and finally Michael.

Bob started his banking career at Western Montana National Bank in Missoula then the family moved to Helena when he was name president and a director of the First National Bank & Trust Co., a title he held for many years. The family kept busy with sports, camping, bird hunting, skiing, horseback riding and finally a cabin at Canyon Ferry where many summer memories were made. The family moved back to Missoula and Bob completed 34 years of banking having finally owned the Bank of Sheridan. Bob and Marlene divorced in the early 80's and Bob finally retired from American Express as an advisor in 2004.

Love bloomed again for Bob when he married Bettina (Tina) Delaney in 1985. Having raised four boys, Bob quickly embraced Tina's four children. They were a busy family and kept him on his toes and he rose to the challenge as a good caring and loving Irishman from Butte. Many skiing and backpacking adventures, as well as some darn good parties occurred and helped Bob bond with the Delaney crew. Bob and Tina loved to travel and did so in their RV often to visit the kids across the country. European trips took them to Italy and Ireland with Bob insisting on visiting the county and village of the Burke linage. Upon entering the only pub there, Bob's good Irish luck had him striking up a conversation with the only patron at the bar who turn out to be a long, lost cousin of his. The luck of the Irish!

Over the years Bob served on many banking association committees, University of Montana boards and alumni associations, Carroll College boards and was an Elks club lifetime member. He had a strong sense to serve others and lent help where his talents and experience could do the most good. During his later years in Missoula, he continued his passion for hunting and joined the Missoula trap club where he met friends and hunting companions that shared his loved for outdoors. He and Tina were avid Grizzly fans and couldn't wait for each football season to begin. He and Tina loved their dogs especially Shadow, Shady and Moca.

He was a good father to his sons and devoted to all the kids in both families and many grandkids that followed. Tina and Bob were famous for playing (piano) and singing "Happy Birthday" over the phone. He also connected through a personal notes or phone calls letting everyone know to "keep the cards and letters coming" his way as well. We will all miss you Bob, Dad & Grandpa and the things you helped us through and taught us. We'll miss the stories and how you connected personally with each of us and know that you loved us. Love you and we will keep you posted!

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Tina, sons Bob and Tim, his siblings Anne and Jack and nieces Mary Orizotti and Kathy Novak. Survivors include his sons Dan and Mike and his spouse Trudy, grand and great grandchildren Mary Claire Robbins (Dylan) and Patrick Burke (Marina), Regan, Lucy, and Piper Robbins, Everett and Deacon Burke, and Caroline, Nolan, and Kaela Burke. Delaney children Piega, Tyler, Trevor and Perri, their spouses and numerous grand and great grandchildren.

The family appreciates the loving care of doctors and staff at Community and St Patrick's hospitals and the many caregivers such as Sunflower Companions in Bigfork and all the staff at the Village Senior Residence that Bob got to know and grew quite fond of creating many friendships.

A Rosary service, funeral mass, and remembrance gathering will be held in Missoula at St Francis Parish and is planned for June. Bob will be interned with military honors with his son Tim, who was a decorated U.S. Army veteran at the Veteran's State Cemetery in Helena. Cremation has taken place. Service dates will be announced by the family soon.

Memorials should be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project, University of Montana Foundation and the Montana Historical Society. Online Condolences may be left at gardencityfh.com.