Robert Petrusha, 88, of Libby

Robert Anthony Petrusha, 88, passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on April 8, 2014.

He was born in l925 in Ironwood, Mich., to Betty (Rayome) and Mac Petrusha. He comes from a longtime Libby family and was one of eight children. His family moved to Libby in 1927. He spent a lifetime as an active contributor to this community.

Bob was in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 and served in Europe and the Pacific as deck crew on landing ship tanks.

After the war, he worked on the West Coast, became a pilot, and went to school to become a machinist. Bob returned to his hometown, and in 1949 married Lorainne O’Brien, his lifetime companion of 56 years.

He worked for W.R. Grace and then in the sawmill powerhouse until his retirement in 1988. He was an active member of the Austin Reedy Post 97 of the American Legion in Libby and served as State Commander for three consecutive terms. He honored nearly 200 veterans at graveside services with the Military Honor Guard.

His involvement with his community also included active membership in the VFW, Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus, the Catholic church, Elks and Lions clubs as well as Kootenai Winter Sports.

He contributed to numerous community projects and was well-known as a machinist, inventor, innovator and “fixer of all things.” Bob, a good-humored, larger-than-life figure, was a family man and an avid outdoorsman, an enthusiastic fisherman and boater.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lorainne; parents; brother, Darrell; sisters, Barbara Mertel, Betty Earle  and Corrine Christiansen.

He is survived by his sister, Gina Becker; brothers,  John and Michael; as well as four children, Marilyn and Richard Jones of Rapid City, S.D., Jeanette McElroy of Mazatlan, Mexico, Tony and Jill Petrusha of Libby, Frank and Linda Petrusha of Helena.

He has seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is much-loved as “Uncle Bob” to nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

Rosary is 7 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014. at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bob’s honor to the Libby Veteran’s Memorial.