Fundraiser garners $117,000 for Remp

By GWEN ALBERS The Western News

Libby cancer victim Ron Remp doesn't like being the center of attention.

On Saturday night, there was no hiding as Remp was surrounded by 665 people who amassed more than $117,000 during a fundraiser at the Memorial Center.

"I just couldn't believe it," a grateful Remp said Monday from his home. "I didn't know what to say or think. There were lots of tears."

The money is believed to be the largest amount ever raised in a single day in Libby, said event organizer Teri Noble.

"I've done a lot of fundraising and I've never seen anything like this," Noble said. "They said it takes a village … and Libby, Mont., is the best little village to live in."

Highlights during the auction included Remp's sister and brother-in-law, Roxanne and John McCallum of Detroit, purchasing a truckload of logs for $10,000 and then donating it to Remp and his wife, Susan. Also, George Neime, owner of Kootenai Paving, originally committed a $12,500 paving job to the auction. During the auction, Neime donated a second of identical value. Both sold for $17,000.

One went to Chris Noble, owner of Noble Excavating, and the other to Mike Munro, owner of Treasure Mountain Casino.

A child-size all-terrain vehicle valued at $2,500 sold for $4,500. An arc welder valued at $5,000 sold for $10,000.

"Every gun we had sold for triple its value," Teri Noble said.

Remp, who remained at the fundraiser during its more than six hours, in November was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Infections delayed chemotherapy, which was to begin in January. He's now hoping to begin treatment in June.

A co-owner of Remp Sand and Gravel, the 52-year-old has health insurance, but not everything, including some medicines, are covered. He is unable to work and his wife took a leave of absence from her job as a caseworker with Families in Partnership.

That's why hometown friends like Noble and so many others stepped up to the plate. Hundreds of items valued at thousands of dollars were donated for the benefit.

Organizers prepared for 400 people. "We had about 330 chairs with tables set up. That's as much as we could get," Noble said. "We had to go scrambling to fire halls and churches to borrow tables and chairs."

Torgy's Casino donated the food — again for 400.

"Instead of getting eight meatballs, you got four. We just had to make the food stretch," she said. Noble initially was unsure if Remp would make it to the fundraiser.

"He had the time of his life," Noble said. "He was smiling. There were a lot of tears and his wife sang a gospel song. The community was great. It was standing-room everywhere."

As for Remp's chemotherapy and prognosis, he's expected to get "major treatments" weekly for three weeks, then rest, and repeat the process for six months.

Doctors aren't making any promises.

"They don't know," Remp said. "I'm going day by day. (The fundraiser) was a big boost, big time. It's just amazing."