Robert L. Olmstead

Robert Lee Olmstead 79, of Shields Valley, Montana passed away, Thursday, April 28th, 2016 at the Billings Clinic Hospital. A memorial funeral service will be held at 11 A.M., on Wednesday, May4th, hosted at the Holbrook United Methodist Church, 424 West Lewis Street, Livingston. Pastor Shad Durgan of Living Hope Church will officiate. Graveside committal and burial will follow the service at Mountain View Cemetery with Veterans Honors provided by Park Post #23 American Legion and Active Duty Navy Honors team. Reception will follow the burial at the Holbrook Fellowship Hall. Robert was born on March 12, 1937 in Laurel, Montana to George and Cora (Duncan) Olmstead. He lived in Laurel until the age of 5 when the family moved to Livingston, Montana. He attended Livingston schools graduating with the Class of 1955 "in the top half of the bottom third". One week later he joined the U.S. Navy serving on the U.S. Hazelwood until 1959. He attended Montana State College (University) graduating in 1964 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for the Montana Power Company from 1964 to 1994 retiring as Engineering Manager for the Colstrip Project. After retirement he enjoyed jobs as a Carquest parts man in Colstrip, transporting vehicles for Wolf Motors in Bozeman and his favorite job, 2010 Census taker for Park and Gallatin Counties. At age 12 he went to work at Browns Bookstore and was to start work in May at Riverside Hardware at age 79. Robert met Lois Bohleen in 1959 in Livingston while "cruising the drag" when he was a freshman at MSU in Bozeman and she was a senior at Park High in Livingston. They were married September 15, 1961. Their marriage was blessed with three sons and seven grandchildren. His love for God and his Savior Jesus Christ framed and was modeled in his immense love for his family. He was known as Abe, after being Abe Lincoln in Colstrip parades and was even asked for his autograph several times at Disneyland where they thought he was an actor. He was fondly called He-Who-Takes-Long-Steps by his wife. He loved anything with a wheels and a motor. His knowledge of vehicles was nearly surpassed by his memory of trivia, a voracious reader he read slow and remembered it all. His love for people in every walk of life and the enjoyment of visiting leaves a vast number of people who will miss him dearly. Landscaping, growing things and fixing things were his passion. He served on the Colstrip School Board and appreciated serving on the board of Park Electric Cooperative where he could use his knowledge of electrical production and distribution with the appropriate concern for our future electrical needs. He was a member and trustee of Living Hope Church. Robert is survived by his wife, sons Todd (Lisa), Kevin (Kathie) and Ross and seven grandchildren Tracy, Dustin (Caitlyn), Justin (Kassidy), Tyler, Taryn, Saige and Wyatt, parents-in-law, Bud and Lorraine Bohleen, along with four nephews and many other extended family and friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, George and Cora Olmstead and sister, Frances White. Memorials may be sent to: Bozeman Prison Ministry, Attn., Warren Hiebert, 615 South 16th Avenue; Bozeman, MT 59715; Great Commission Fund of the Christian Missionary Alliance, 8595 Explorer Drive; Colorado Springs, CO 80920 or the Livingston HealthCare Foundation, 320 Alpenglow Lane; Livingston, MT 59047. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in Livingston.