GREAT FALLS —Robert L. Kercher, Sr., 85, of Great Falls, died peacefully on May 22, 2017 at Benefis from complications of lung cancer.
Bob was born on July 2, 1931, in Mitchell, South Dakota to William and Agnes (Martins) Kercher. He attended high school in Belt, MT and joined the United States Army in 1951 and served 3-years including combat in the Korean conflict. A source of pride; he was a radio operator in the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, awarded a purple heart for wounds received at the front line in North Korea and two bronze stars for participation in two major battles, and chosen by his unit members to receive a Presidential Unit Citation from Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea.
Soon after returning from Korea, he met Patricia Peressini in Great Falls and they were married on July 21, 1956. Bob and Pat began their marriage working on ranches. They moved to Black Eagle and eventually to Great Falls. Bob worked as a facilities engineer at the College of Great Falls, and served as a state safety inspector for Montana's Department of Labor and Industry.
Bob and Pat raised seven children. He is the grandfather to six grandchildren.
Bob was a great story teller, frequently entertaining his family with stories from his Army and cowboy days. Stories of his buddies and brothers, bears, snakes, fast cars, and runaway horses were often told at family gatherings. They were entertaining every time. Bob was passionate about golf, a sport he started playing as a young man. After he retired, Bob golfed nearly every week day through the 2016 season. He loved the game and enjoyed the friendships he made on the course. He was deadly accurate with his shots and a master at playing in the wind. At 75+ years of age, he managed to score two hole-in-one's on the 17th hole at Eagle Falls.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, his seven children, his six grand children, six siblings, and nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill, Lyle, and Ivan; and sisters Wilma, Ruby, and Leota.
Complete obituary published in Great Falls Tribune on May 28, 2017
Bob was born on July 2, 1931, in Mitchell, South Dakota to William and Agnes (Martins) Kercher. He attended high school in Belt, MT and joined the United States Army in 1951 and served 3-years including combat in the Korean conflict. A source of pride; he was a radio operator in the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, awarded a purple heart for wounds received at the front line in North Korea and two bronze stars for participation in two major battles, and chosen by his unit members to receive a Presidential Unit Citation from Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea.
Soon after returning from Korea, he met Patricia Peressini in Great Falls and they were married on July 21, 1956. Bob and Pat began their marriage working on ranches. They moved to Black Eagle and eventually to Great Falls. Bob worked as a facilities engineer at the College of Great Falls, and served as a state safety inspector for Montana's Department of Labor and Industry.
Bob and Pat raised seven children. He is the grandfather to six grandchildren.
Bob was a great story teller, frequently entertaining his family with stories from his Army and cowboy days. Stories of his buddies and brothers, bears, snakes, fast cars, and runaway horses were often told at family gatherings. They were entertaining every time. Bob was passionate about golf, a sport he started playing as a young man. After he retired, Bob golfed nearly every week day through the 2016 season. He loved the game and enjoyed the friendships he made on the course. He was deadly accurate with his shots and a master at playing in the wind. At 75+ years of age, he managed to score two hole-in-one's on the 17th hole at Eagle Falls.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, his seven children, his six grand children, six siblings, and nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill, Lyle, and Ivan; and sisters Wilma, Ruby, and Leota.
Complete obituary published in Great Falls Tribune on May 28, 2017
GREAT FALLS —Robert L. Kercher, Sr., 85, of Great Falls, died peacefully on May 22, 2017 at Benefis from complications of lung cancer.
Bob was born on July 2, 1931, in Mitchell, South Dakota to William and Agnes (Martins) Kercher. He attended high school in Belt, MT and joined the United States Army in 1951 and served 3-years including combat in the Korean conflict. A source of pride; he was a radio operator in the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, awarded a purple heart for wounds received at the front line in North Korea and two bronze stars for participation in two major battles, and chosen by his unit members to receive a Presidential Unit Citation from Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea.
Soon after returning from Korea, he met Patricia Peressini in Great Falls and they were married on July 21, 1956. Bob and Pat began their marriage working on ranches. They moved to Black Eagle and eventually to Great Falls. Bob worked as a facilities engineer at the College of Great Falls, and served as a state safety inspector for Montana's Department of Labor and Industry.
Bob and Pat raised seven children. He is the grandfather to six grandchildren.
Bob was a great story teller, frequently entertaining his family with stories from his Army and cowboy days. Stories of his buddies and brothers, bears, snakes, fast cars, and runaway horses were often told at family gatherings. They were entertaining every time. Bob was passionate about golf, a sport he started playing as a young man. After he retired, Bob golfed nearly every week day through the 2016 season. He loved the game and enjoyed the friendships he made on the course. He was deadly accurate with his shots and a master at playing in the wind. At 75+ years of age, he managed to score two hole-in-one's on the 17th hole at Eagle Falls.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, his seven children, his six grand children, six siblings, and nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill, Lyle, and Ivan; and sisters Wilma, Ruby, and Leota.
Complete obituary published in Great Falls Tribune on May 28, 2017
Bob was born on July 2, 1931, in Mitchell, South Dakota to William and Agnes (Martins) Kercher. He attended high school in Belt, MT and joined the United States Army in 1951 and served 3-years including combat in the Korean conflict. A source of pride; he was a radio operator in the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, awarded a purple heart for wounds received at the front line in North Korea and two bronze stars for participation in two major battles, and chosen by his unit members to receive a Presidential Unit Citation from Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea.
Soon after returning from Korea, he met Patricia Peressini in Great Falls and they were married on July 21, 1956. Bob and Pat began their marriage working on ranches. They moved to Black Eagle and eventually to Great Falls. Bob worked as a facilities engineer at the College of Great Falls, and served as a state safety inspector for Montana's Department of Labor and Industry.
Bob and Pat raised seven children. He is the grandfather to six grandchildren.
Bob was a great story teller, frequently entertaining his family with stories from his Army and cowboy days. Stories of his buddies and brothers, bears, snakes, fast cars, and runaway horses were often told at family gatherings. They were entertaining every time. Bob was passionate about golf, a sport he started playing as a young man. After he retired, Bob golfed nearly every week day through the 2016 season. He loved the game and enjoyed the friendships he made on the course. He was deadly accurate with his shots and a master at playing in the wind. At 75+ years of age, he managed to score two hole-in-one's on the 17th hole at Eagle Falls.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, his seven children, his six grand children, six siblings, and nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill, Lyle, and Ivan; and sisters Wilma, Ruby, and Leota.
Complete obituary published in Great Falls Tribune on May 28, 2017
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