Robert Mohs

Robert Paul Mohs, 77, known as “Bob” to family and friends, passed away on March 5, 2022, in Bigfork shortly after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

He was born Aug. 31, 1944, to Henry Peter and Mary Bernice (Shephard) Mohs as their oldest son in Grafton, North Dakota, into a military family and lived in various states and for six years in West Germany, as a youth.

Bob entered the U.S. Army at Fargo, North Dakota, in 1962 as a paratrooper, and served for 28 years of which over 16 years was spent overseas. During his service, he served in Airborne, Pathfinder, Ranger, and Special Forces units. He fought for three years in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, primarily in reconnaissance units such as MAC-V SOG’s SOA-CCC. During the Persian Gulf War, Bob was a command sergeant major of the Special Forces Battalion in Europe whose mission was to conduct combat search and rescue operations for downed pilots and air crews in Iraq. His battalion was also responsible for establishing the first Kurdish Refugee Relief camps along the Turkish border in Iraq for the United Nations Humanitarian Operation “Provide Comfort” after the war. For his service, CSM Mohs received 38 individual awards, service medals and ribbons; 10 unit awards; and 11 badges and tabs. Included in these awards are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star for Valor, Purple Heart, three Meritorious Service medals, RVN Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star for Heroism, and the Special Operations Combat Divers, German Parachutist and Norwegian Military Winter Warfare and Ski badges.

After retirement in 1991, Robert traveled extensively in pursuit of putting together a written history of the genealogy tree of his family’s namesake. Eventually Montana became home, and he spent the last 15 years of his life there. He truly loved the majestic beauty of the state.

Mr. Mohs was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Special Forces Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Special Operations Association.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, a 29-year Army sergeant major from St. Martin, Minnesota, and mother from Crystal, North Dakota, who both died in Richmond, Virginia; a brother Donald “Donnie,” a two-year veteran helicopter gunship crew chief of Vietnam, who was twice decorated for valor, who died in Fort Ord, California; another brother, Wayne, a 22-year Naval officer, who died in Charleston, South Carolina.

He is survived by two daughters, Teresa Necole of Gray, Georgia, and Windy Loreley Maria of Olympia, Washington; a brother, James A. of Moseley, Virginia; a sister, Janis L. Ussery, of Royal Palm Beach, Florida; several grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Robert touched so many lives both in the military and locally. His boisterous “Well, hello there” coming in the door will be greatly missed, as will his quick wit.

CSM Mohs will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, at a date yet to be determined with the full military funeral honors that he so respectfully deserves.

In lieu of any cards of sympathy or flowers, Bob’s last request is that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in the name of his mother, Bernice Mohs.

On a final note, to all those remaining in the world he wishes for you to go in peace and make a difference, because your time will be at hand quicker than you realize or maybe want!