Robert Lee Burrese

Robert (Bob) Lee Burrese, Thompson Falls, died October 19, 2017 of natural causes at the age of 76. He was born in Wallace, Idaho on February 15, 1941 to Ben and Blanche Rettig Burrese. He spent his elementary school years in Noxon and Helena, and his high school years in Noxon and Libby.

Bob joined the US Air Force on October 8, 1958. The first four years were spent on bases in Texas, Kansas and North Dakota. The next tours were in Southeast Asia, California, and 14 years at Minot AFB, North Dakota. In June 1980 he retired as a Master Sergeant, and returned to western Montana. With him came notebooks full of commendations and praise from his superiors. He was a true professional as a jet engine technician.

In November 1963, Bob married Barbara Welsh, who became the mother of his two children. She died in June 1976. Two subsequent marriages ended in divorce. On November 1, 1984, he married Dolores (Dolly) Aldrich Hill, and they enjoyed traveling. The also attended many plays, car races, and sporting events. He liked building and repairing their home. Bob always had a book he was reading, and was especially fond of history and westerns. He liked using tools and welding. Music and dancing were lifelong passions.

In the fall of 1980, Bob enrolled in barber-styling school in Missoula to fulfill a desire he had from childhood to become a barber. Upon graduation he barbered on Main Street in Thompson Falls for 19 years, the last few years as owner of Bob’s Barber Shop. During that time he also did clock and watch repair. Following doctor’s orders, Bob decided to sell his shop. Needing something to occupy his time, Bob volunteered to drive the TF Senior Citizen’s bus, which he did for 2 ½ years until, again following doctor’s orders, he was forced to quit that job.

However, Bob’s number one love was airplanes from his first ride as a teenager in Noxon. There were sailplanes (gliders), to tankers and bombers, anything with wings. The big ones he worked on were his “babies” until his last breath was drawn. One of his favorite rides was with Dave Bennet around this valley, Bob’s only takeoff and landing on pontoons. Thanks, Dave.

Fourteen years in Minot gave Bob a love of the prairie that he never got over. At least twice a year he made trips east of the mountains to get his “prairie fix.” Bob liked to drive, anything with wheels, and they had wonderful vacations, from Niagara Falls to Victoria BC, to southern California, and points between.

Besides Barbara, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, uncle Bill, stepsister Joyce, a nephew, and his stepfather and fishing hunting buddy, Olen (Lucky) Johnson. Survivors are his wife Dolores, children Alain (Yi-saeng) Burrese, Karla (Paul) Thoegersen, Robert LaRocque, Dolores’ girls Diane (Jerry) Larango and Ramona (Tim) Cox, grandchildren April (Eric) Black, BreAnne and Clay LaRocque, Kyle and Kurtis Thoegersen, Cosette Burrese, and Adam Davis, two great grandsons Wyatt and Noah Black, sister Billie Burrese, brother Steve (Eva) Burrese, numerous nieces and nephews, aunt Amerilis Foster, and Aldrich in-laws.

Cremation has taken place and ashes will be scattered to the prairie winds. Beneath a sometimes brusque exterior dwelt a kind, loving soul. If he had a headstone it would have read, “Bob liked to help people.”

A public celebration of life will be held at a later date and the ashes will be scattered as Bob wished by family members after the celebration of life.