GLENDIVE, Mont. Robert "Bob" Allen Larsen, age 72, of Glendive, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive from complications following an accident on his scooter.

Visitation will be held today, June 30, 2009, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive, with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Bob was born on October 7, 1936, to Christian and Myrtle (Hanson) Larsen in Kenmare, N.D. He received his education in Coulee, N.D., and Dakota Lutheran High School in Minot, N.D., where he met the love of his life and best friend, Shirley Ann Haugen. They married on July 15th, 1956. Bob graduated from Minot State Teachers College (Minot State University) and went on to earn a Master's Degree from UND in Grand Forks, ND. Bob's teaching career brought him and his family to Glendive in 1969. He later served Dawson County and the city of Glendive as the Justice of the Peace and City Court Judge for more than 23 years.

Bob enjoyed many things in life. He enjoyed people and was known to strike up a conversation with anyone, at any time, anywhere, and seemed to find someone he knew everywhere he went. He and his wife, Shirley, enjoyed going to concerts and shows and always took several camping trips during the summer months. They were snowbirds, traveling to New Mexico during the winters. They were involved in many activities, such as helping with community concerts, church activities and the Glendive Art Gallery.

Bob was an active member of the Breakfast Lions Club for many years, the Jaycees, and Good Sam Club. He was always willing to help those in need. Bob was a man of many talents. He was an avid guitar player and musician who loved to sit down and jam with anyone who wanted to play. He also played the banjo, mandolin, and any other stringed instruments. He loved woodworking, especially creating wooden toys, such as cars, trucks, and cradles, many of which he made for his grandchildren. He even built a canoe at one time. He could take a block of wood and whittle it into a whistle or a sphere inside of a wooden cube.

He worked on cars and had the ability to fix anything in his own home. He always offered his skills and went out of his way for those who were in need. Bob was a loving cousin, a son, a husband, a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Although he was an only child, he was a brother to many. Bob has been many things to many people. Goodbye, Dad. We love you and we will miss you.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Marty Larsen.

Bob is survived by: his wife, Shirley, of Glendive; two daughters, Debra Lynn Huser and her husband, John, of Billings, Mont.; Melissa Larsen of Billings; two sons, Brian Larsen and his wife, Dee Dee of Billings, Reid Larsen and his wife, Jody, of Billings; nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and one great-grandchild soon to arrive.

Donations can be made in Bob's name to Arts Unlimited and to Zion Lutheran Church, both Glendive.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at (www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com).

(Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home, Glendive)