Bob Lukes

Former Libby educator and businessman Robert Wayne Lukes, 66, died on Friday, Jan. 21, 2005, at his home in Trout Creek.

He was born on Feb. 25, 1938, at Turtle Lake, N.D., to Frederick and Ruth Haas Lukes.

Bob attended Valley City State University in Valley City, N.D., and then North Dakota State University in Jamestown, N.D., where he earned a master¹s degree in education.

He earned a doctorate in education from the University of Montana at Missoula.

Bob taught chemistry and German in Lisbon, N.D., and Lamoure, N.D., before moving to Libby as curriculum director.

In association with Stu Swenson, Bob worked as an insurance agent in Libby for seven years before returning to his career in education.

Bob worked as a teaching center director in Missoula and a school superintendent in Idaho and Montana. He retired from the Noxon school district in June 2000.

He loved Montana, the hunting and fishing, and most of all his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Frederick.

Survivors include his wife Terrie, Trout Creek; daughters Sue Riley, Libby, and Julie and her husband Ron Zinkgraf, Spokane, son Thomas and his wife Julie Lukes, Spokane; granddaughters Monika Riley, Lakeside, Calif., and Jamie Zinkgraf, Spokane, grandson Mitchell Lukes, Spokane; sister Sharon and her husband Jim Lukes Mortensen, State College, Pa.; aunts Viola Seeger, Turtle Lake, N.D., Donna Mae Bilquist, Williston, N.D. and Jean Duncan, Billings; and nephews Jon Mortensen and Chris Mortensen, both of State College, and Mark Mortenson, New York City.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Trout Creek Community Church in Trout Creek with the rev. Gaylund Olson officiating.

A potluck will follow at the Wayside Rest and Bar in Trout Creek.

Donations may be sent to Sanders County Hospice, P.B. Box 768, Plains, MT 59859.

Bunch-Toews Chapel of Thompson Falls is in charge of arrangements.