Robert O. Lee

FAIRFIELD - Lifelong Greenfields Bench resident Robert O. Lee, 90, former president of the Greenfields Irrigation District Board, died of cancer Saturday at his home.
His funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairfield. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home and Cre-matory.
Survivors include his wife, Eleanor; his six children, Arlene (Gerald) Trebesch, Robert (Gail) Lee, Ken (Darlene) Lee, Bruce (Sally) Lee, Marc (Linda) Lee, and Rebecca (Wain) Allen; an 'adopted' son, Dale A. Evans; 20 grandchil-dren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth; and a toddler sister, Doris.
Robert was born April 8, 1917, on the farm of his Norwegian immigrant parents, Peder and Margaret (Grasdock) Lee. He died on the farm one mile from his birthplace Dec. 15, 2007 having lived his entire life on the Greenfields Bench.
In this 90-year span, he witnessed the breaking up of the native prairie. Robert had an abid-ing love for the prairie, its soil, its plants and animals, and all things wild, especially its birds. He had a special appreciation and love for his own animals, from the widely recognized purebred Chester white hogs he raised with his father to his Hereford-shorthorn cross cattle, and his horses to his border collies and finally, the cat, Thor.
Robert experienced the Greenfield Bench prior to irrigation. When the first water flowed down the canal, he exclaimed as a young boy, "Munga, munga vatin i dag" (Norwegian for: "Many, many waters today"). He then served on the Greenfields Irrigation District Board from Sept. 21, 1954, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of his father. He resigned as president of the board on Aug. 6, 1975. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church which his grandfather and father helped build. Robert was active on many community boards including the school board. He was a 4-H leader and was instrumental in starting hospice in Teton County. He had an avid interest in current events, politics and government.
He graduated in 1940 from Mon-tana State University in Bozeman, and he married Eleanor Loomis on June 15, 1941. She has remained as the calm and steady pillar of his life for 66 years. Robert frequently voiced his appreciation for her and expressed his love and affection to the end. Together they raised six children. Robert set a high bar of accountability for himself and his six children. He taught his children to look out for the underdog.
Robert loved the outdoors and travel. He and Eleanor made several trips to Europe, especially Norway, and traveled widely elsewhere. They spent 21 winters in Maui in later years.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Hospice of Teton County, P.O. Box 455, Choteau, MT 59422.
Condolences may be posted online at croxfords@qwest.net and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.