Robert Charles Clark passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026. He was surrounded by the love of his family both present and far away. Bob was well loved and lived a full and adventurous life.

That life started in a little house in Anaconda, MT on January 15, 1942. Bob was the third in a line of what would be 14 brothers and sisters. As a kid, he loved to hunt and fish and would often hitchhike out to his uncle’s ranch to enjoy those pastimes. His love of being outdoors would last his whole life.

Upon graduation from Anaconda High School (because the Catholic school kindly suggested that he should leave), Bob went to work for the Anaconda Company, as most young men did. In January of ’61, he transferred to the Great Falls operations. It was there he discovered a new sport: skydiving. Since he was underage and his mother said, “over my dead body”, he had to find some kind and caring person to forge his parent’s signature on a release form. Bob loved it and eventually made Jump Master. He brought this sport to Anaconda when he moved back in 1963. He would make over 360 career jumps throughout his life, including with the National Guard 19th Special Forces, Air Borne Unit. Bob and his brothers, Gene and Larry, were all among the first people from Anaconda to join this unit.

Bob and Gene were scheduled to leave for basic training in January of 1964, but because of an operational delay this did not happen until the following spring. And so, Bob was working at Warm Springs Psychiatric Hospital as a guard when he met Nancy Hart, who was there as part of her nursing education. They always loved to tell people they met in Warm Springs to see the reaction. But they really met in a bar in Anaconda. After church.

Bob and Nancy were married on May 8, 1965, and soon (not too soon) they had their first daughter, Kim. Bob had completed his basic training and AIT and began working as a guard at the Montana State Prison in 1966. The next year he went to school to be a Highway Patrolman, and upon graduation, was sent to his first (and only) station in Ryegate, Montana. He was a good steward of the highway, helping many, many people out on the road, even bringing home stranded motorists to spend the night as there were few accommodations around Ryegate. Anyone speeding just a bit who passed him on the road may have also gotten “the finger”. That would be the index finger, pointing down.

While on the Highway Patrol, Bob was also involved in starting the Montana Hope Project, which has blessed countless terminally ill children with gifts and trips over the years.

Bob and Nancy made a home in Ryegate, living there until 2024. They raised Kim and her sister Kelly in a house from 1910 that they completely remodeled more than once, including jacking the house up and digging a basement (complete with a shooting range!) underneath. They were welcomed warmly into the community and always enjoyed living there.

In 61 years of marriage, Bob and Nancy had many hobbies and adventures with their girls. They shot rifle and pistol competitively. They hunted and trapped. They drove up to Alaska to fish several times. In 1999 Bob discovered the Power Parachute and soon they were flying around in one. Bob loved to take anyone up who was willing to go.

He was elected to the Ryegate School Board in 1980, and that led to running for the Montana House of Representatives in 1989. Bob stayed in that role until he termed out in 1997. After that, Nancy became the Seargent of Arms and Bob was head of Security for her. They were involved with the Montana Legislature until 2012, and almost always enjoyed it.

Upon retirement from the Patrol, Bob joined the Marshall’s office in Billings and also spent a few years teaching the D.A.R.E. program in many schools in the central Montana area. He eventually retired to spend all his time on a favorite pastime: woodworking. He made much of the furniture in their home as well as many pieces for other people. They often traveled to craft shows where he sold his bowls, pens, seam rippers, knitting bowls, and cremation urns.

After 57 years in Ryegate, a cancer journey for Nancy and an Alzheimer's diagnosis for Bob, they moved to a more manageable home in Helena.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers James, Gene, Billy, and Albert, and sisters Alice Joan, and RuthAnn. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Kim and Kelly (Randall), grandchildren Ashley (Joseph), Jessica (Josh), Cole (Josy), Zac (Taylor), Devyn, and Josie. He was also blessed to have six great grandchildren: Ryleigh, Alexa, Liam, Pieper, Maddi, and Kinzley. He is also survived by siblings Larry (Barbara), Mary Lou (Jim), Barbara (Dan), Janice (Tom), Jerry, Susan, and Laureen (Rob), and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was a strong, determined man, who would go out of his way to help anyone, and often did. He loved his family well, teaching them to build, shoot, and hunt, as well as to be good and kind people. He will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be held at Life Covenant Church on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11am.

The family has requested any donations please go to the Montana Hope Project.