Robert Olds

1935 - 2018

Robert Olds

Great Falls - Robert "Bob" Down Olds, 83, passed away Monday, April 23, 2018. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 10:00 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Parish followed by a reception and interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Robert was born January 27, 1935 in Great Falls, Montana to George and Aggie Olds. He received his diploma from Great Falls High School in 1953 and then joined the Marines. He spent two years serving in Japan. After finishing his 4 years of service, he returned to Great Falls and married Barbara Belle Bundi June 8, 1957.

His career in the ironworker trade began with Hawthorn Construction. He worked for American Bridge Company on the Montana Minuteman Missile program and up until retirement, Bob worked for Sletten Construction on many projects from Great Falls to Ennis, MT. He met and worked with many great ironworkers who became very close friends and often spoke about his ironworker buddies tackling many great and challenging projects.

Bob touched so many lives with his mentoring and giving spirit. Many of Bob's passions included hunting, fishing, and camping with his family and friends and serving as a Ski Patroller at Kings Hill (Showdown Ski Area). Over the years and after each story was retold many times, the fish became bigger and the 'presto' log bull elk antlers grew even larger. Bob truly enjoyed building a big bonfire when hunting or fishing; folks could see it for miles and is still lovingly referred to by many as a 'Bob Olds Fire'. In addition, he loved to horn hunt and look for bear in the Spring time.

Bob truly enjoyed working in his yard with his wife Barbara; planting flowers, creating rock walls and rock gardens, and weaving baskets at the "No Sweat Ranch". His passion for working with iron creating many beautiful pieces of art, like 'Rolling Thunder', a life-sized metal buffalo that now resides at Great Falls High School. He was often found in his garage with a torch or a welder in hand.

He is survived by his son Nick; daughter-in-law Kari; his three grandchildren: Sabine, Braeden, and Kaleigh; his sister Shirley (Jean); brother Bill, and wife Rita; his sister-in-law Sue; and Todd Chamberlin; along with many loving brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; wife Barbara Belle Olds; brother Gary Olds; and brothers-in-law, Don Evans and Charlie Bundi.

Robert had loving and caring neighbors and many friends during his time on this Earth and will be missed by all.