Robert "Bob" Frank Russ, only child of Frank and Eleanor (Putzel) Russ, was born on October 19, 1938 at St. John's Hospital in Helena, Montana.  He peacefully passed away on May 16, 2024 at home with his family and his dog by his side.  He was 85 years old.

Bob Russ was born and raised in East Helena, MT, where he grew up surrounded by parents and grandparents who had arrived in America from Slovenia in the early 1900's. From them, he learned to love the food, culture, and music of Slovenia.  At the age of twelve, Bob followed in his father's footsteps and began taking accordion lessons. This began Bob's lifelong passion and appreciation for music.

In Bob's younger years, he played baseball for the Smelterites, an East Helena team. He would later become an umpire. He also enjoyed bowling, running, ice skating, biking, hunting, sapphire mining, and attending baseball games.  Later in life, he played cribbage and was a proud member of the American Cribbage Congress and The Helena Grass Roots Club #25.

While attending school at the University of Montana in Missoula (from where he would graduate), Bob worked at the local Heidelhaus, entertaining customers with German style music. After graduation, and with music near to his heart, Bob went on the road with a group of musicians known as the Sauerkrauts.  Originally from New York, the Sauerkrauts were based out of Florida, and their travels took them to fairs, expos, and festivals.   After retiring from traveling with the Sauerkrauts, he settled in Georgia and worked for the SKF or Svenska Kullagerfabriken (Swedish Ball Bearing Factory), from where he retired in 2008.  He continued to play the accordion as a single for many years for a variety of events.

After Bob's retirement, he moved back to Montana, where he reconnected with Donna McDuffie, a high school classmate.  Bob and Donna married in May of 2008.  He was gladly received into Donna's family.  Bob was a welcome addition to the family where his amazing memory became an endless source of stories that everyone enjoyed.  His family loved to play cards, talk baseball, hear about his life, and listen to him play the accordion and sing.  Bob was an essential part of all family gatherings from birthday parties and sporting events to camping trips and Disney World vacations.

Bob is greatly missed and survived by his wife Donna, children Bart (Sandy) McDuffie, Denise (Mike) Hampton, Dan McDuffie, Russ McDuffie, Angie (Jim) Erb, Kevin (Ann Marie) McDuffie, Pat (Chantelle) McDuffie, Jay (Jessica) McDuffie, 21 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many beloved cousins from the Russ and the Putzel families, and his bestie, "Buggy Girl," his Jack Russell Terrier.  A funeral for Bob will be held Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 120 West Riggs, East Helena, MT at Noon, with a rosary preceding at 11:20 AM.   Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.