Robert H. Eckhardt

Robert H. (Bob) Eckhardt 80 of Lewistown passed away Tuesday morning, January 8^th, 2020 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born April 24, 1939 in Great Falls, Montana the son of John & Leta (Stout) Eckhardt. Bob attended school in Moccasin, Lavina and graduated from Ryegate High school in 1957. Bob was first joined in marriage to Martha Warneke and they spent 35 years together raising their three children, Debbie, Joe & Rebecca, on the land he was so fond of at the base of the Big Snowy Mountains.

In 1995, Bob rekindled his friendship with high school crush, Audrey (Corcoran) Keller. The couple married in 1996 and enjoyed many years of dancing together. Between them, they have 7 children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, whom they loved very much.

Bob held many jobs over his lifetime. He was employed as a mechanic for Wojtowick Motors in Harlowton, Service Manager for Cooley Chevrolet in Lewistown, mechanic for Dave Miller's shop and a hired hand for the Swanz Ranch both in Judith Gap. He owned and operated a filling station in Roberts, Montana and was foreman for Wheatland County in Harlowton from 1984 to 2001 when he retired. The past several years in Lewistown, Bob found great joy in working as a volunteer delivering Meals on Wheels and he spent a year on their Board of Directors.

Those who knew Bob will remember him for his kindness, honesty, hard work ethic, huge hugs and easy smile. He took great joy in helping others and working with his hands. He spent many hours of his retirement years tending to his garden, working in the yard, building sheds, decks and various other projects. He loved to fish and Bob and Audrey spent many summers fishing and camping all around Central Montana.

He is survived by his wife Audrey of Lewistown; children Debbie (Don) Lee of Great Falls, MT, Joe (Tammy) Eckhardt and Rebecca (Dustin) Reisig all of Lewistown, MT; stepchildren Kellee (Ron) Fisk of Grand Forks, ND, Joe (Andrea) Keller of Harlowton, MT, Mark Keller of Grand Forks, ND, Jeff (Robyn) Keller of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Brian (Diane) Lee, Jim Lee, Emily and Jamie Eckhardt, Jacob and Colt Reisig, Katy (Matt) Fisk, Cole and Grace Keller, Sophie and Summer Keller; great grandchildren Madeline, Caleb and Rebecca Lee; siblings Joan (Guy) Driver in Washington, Dale (Mel) Eckhardt of Bull City, AZ, Jon (Dee) Eckhardt of Columbia Falls, MT, Darlene Hodik of Lewistown, MT, Jane (Dennis) Dygert of Hilger, MT, Zane Zirschky in Colorado and Mary (Woodie) Westburg of Moore, MT; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Betty Ann.

Memorial Services for Robert H. (Bob) Eckhardt will be Saturday, January 18^th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cloyd Chapel. Cremation has taken place and committal will be in the Stanford Cemetery at a later date. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Bob's family would like to thank the Hospice nursing staff for their care, comfort and kindness.

Friends are asked to make memorials to the Fergus County Council on Aging Meals on Wheels Program or the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.