Robert Gembolis

Robert Francis Gembolis

September 11, 1943 — March 6, 2021

Bob passed peacefully away in his sleep after a long illness. He leaves behind his wife, Dixie, son, Mike (Megan), daughter Angela (Tim Price) and granddaughters Cheri and Alexis.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was the eldest son of seven children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Eleanor Gembolis, sister Catherine Gembolis Moore, and brother Donald. Surviving siblings left to mourn his passing are Jeanne Basnight, Rich, Ken (Denise), Jo-Anne (Tom), and sister-in-law Debbie.

Bob graduated from Notre Dame University with a degree in Geology. On his trips home, he was known to pack rocks instead of clothes. While in Indiana, he taught behaviorally challenged boys, which led him to discover his love for teaching and lifelong learning. He joined the Air Force and after being commissioned an officer in Texas, he was stationed in Montana where he worked in Ballistic Missile Operations. This fueled his passion for the west and Montana. After the service, he worked in the oil fields as a geologist. Later he set up math, science, and computer labs at two tribal community colleges: Fort Peck in Popular, MT, and Blackfoot in Browning, MT.

He truly loved fossils and rocks and was a member of the NW Montana Rock Chucks Rock Club. People often sought his expertise on identifying rocks and fossils. Bob also enjoyed astronomy, folk dancing and square dancing with Dixie. Dixie and Angela had horses and he cared for them out of love, even getting frost-bite one winter while making sure they were safe and warm. He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed science fiction. In fact on his wedding day, his mother told his little sister to hide his Analog magazine so as not to be distracted from the festivities.

Bob was a renaissance man who was fortunate to have lived in Great Falls, Glendive, and Kalispell, where he could experience the mountains and wildlife. The family would like to thank the V.A., Home Options Hospice and all his friends over the years who enriched his life. There will be a private celebration of his life when his ashes are spread over a dinosaur fossil field in eastern Montana.