Robert H. Blake, 89
Robert H Blake, 89, passed away Monday, April 23, 2012, in Kalispell. Bob was born October 4, 1922, in Detroit Michigan to Sherman Ulysses and Ida May (Hovey) Blake.
He moved to Spokane, WA with his Mother and two brothers as a young child after his father passed away in 1926. In Bob's words, "The Blake boy's, being so close in age, were quite "active" and perhaps a little "mischievious" shall we say."
He attended Hawthorne Grade School and graduated from Rogers High School in 1940. On Jan 23, 1941 he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps Division as an Army Private. He worked in the Weather Squadron servicing teletype machines starting at Hamilton Field in California and then onto N. Africa. After the war he joined Burrough's Corporation as a Service Technician. On his first Service call to the Conrad National Bank in Kalispell he met his future wife, Delores Gilbertson. They were married September 7, 1946 at Stillwater Lutheran Church.
In 1959, Bob and a fellow service technician, Marlin Holmes started Bomar Office Supply (Later, Blake Office Supply) in Kalispell. In 1963 Bob bought out the partnership. Over the 36 years, the business grew to 5 locations, being recognized nationally in the Office Products Magazine in 1977 for Outstanding Remodeling for their location at 700 Sunset Blvd. He owned Blake Office Supply until the age of 73, selling it in 1995 to enjoy his retirement.
His community services included: Kalispell Jaycees; Kalispell Chamber Aviation Committee Chairman; President of Montana Office Products Assn, Montana Office Machine Dealer Assn; Board of Directors for Western Office Machines Dealer Assn and National Office Machine Dealers Assn.
Bob had many passions starting with his wife, Delores (Dode) , children, grandchildren and of the last few years his great grandchildren would light up his world, sharing candy and ice cream with them. Lifetime hobbies included golf, airplanes and boats. He owned 4 boats making a 2 month trip on the ocean to Alaska with his wife at the age of 70. He owned 6 airplanes and enjoyed giving "memorable rides" to his family and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Delores (Dode), his parents Sherman and Ida Blake, brother Ulysses Sherman (Sherm) Blake; son-in-law Arthur B Weeks and grandson Blake Aaron Weeks.
Bob is survived by son, Robert G and wife Vickie Blake, of Kalispell; daughter, Sandra K Weeks, of Kalispell; brother James John (Jack) Blake, of Spokane WA; grandchildren, Randy Blake and wife, Nickole, Rachelle Berg and husband Sam; Rory Blake and wife, Katie; Ralyssa Blake and husband Shean; Trey Weeks and Cassandra Neils; and twelve great-grandchildren. And many nieces and nephews.
A Military Honors Burial service will be held at the Conrad Cemetery, 1pm with a celebration of Bob's life held at 2pm Saturday, April 28, at the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Bartholomew officiating.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Blake, please visit our flower store.
Robert H Blake, 89, passed away Monday, April 23, 2012, in Kalispell. Bob was born October 4, 1922, in Detroit Michigan to Sherman Ulysses and Ida May (Hovey) Blake.
He moved to Spokane, WA with his Mother and two brothers as a young child after his father passed away in 1926. In Bob's words, "The Blake boy's, being so close in age, were quite "active" and perhaps a little "mischievious" shall we say."
He attended Hawthorne Grade School and graduated from Rogers High School in 1940. On Jan 23, 1941 he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps Division as an Army Private. He worked in the Weather Squadron servicing teletype machines starting at Hamilton Field in California and then onto N. Africa. After the war he joined Burrough's Corporation as a Service Technician. On his first Service call to the Conrad National Bank in Kalispell he met his future wife, Delores Gilbertson. They were married September 7, 1946 at Stillwater Lutheran Church.
In 1959, Bob and a fellow service technician, Marlin Holmes started Bomar Office Supply (Later, Blake Office Supply) in Kalispell. In 1963 Bob bought out the partnership. Over the 36 years, the business grew to 5 locations, being recognized nationally in the Office Products Magazine in 1977 for Outstanding Remodeling for their location at 700 Sunset Blvd. He owned Blake Office Supply until the age of 73, selling it in 1995 to enjoy his retirement.
His community services included: Kalispell Jaycees; Kalispell Chamber Aviation Committee Chairman; President of Montana Office Products Assn, Montana Office Machine Dealer Assn; Board of Directors for Western Office Machines Dealer Assn and National Office Machine Dealers Assn.
Bob had many passions starting with his wife, Delores (Dode) , children, grandchildren and of the last few years his great grandchildren would light up his world, sharing candy and ice cream with them. Lifetime hobbies included golf, airplanes and boats. He owned 4 boats making a 2 month trip on the ocean to Alaska with his wife at the age of 70. He owned 6 airplanes and enjoyed giving "memorable rides" to his family and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Delores (Dode), his parents Sherman and Ida Blake, brother Ulysses Sherman (Sherm) Blake; son-in-law Arthur B Weeks and grandson Blake Aaron Weeks.
Bob is survived by son, Robert G and wife Vickie Blake, of Kalispell; daughter, Sandra K Weeks, of Kalispell; brother James John (Jack) Blake, of Spokane WA; grandchildren, Randy Blake and wife, Nickole, Rachelle Berg and husband Sam; Rory Blake and wife, Katie; Ralyssa Blake and husband Shean; Trey Weeks and Cassandra Neils; and twelve great-grandchildren. And many nieces and nephews.
A Military Honors Burial service will be held at the Conrad Cemetery, 1pm with a celebration of Bob's life held at 2pm Saturday, April 28, at the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Bartholomew officiating.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church.