Robert E. "Bob" Newton

Robert E. "Bob" Newton, age 79, of Glendive, Montana passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the Glendive Medical Center. A Vigil/Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, January 24, 2008 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive. Rite of Committal will be in the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements. Bob was born on May 24, 1928 in Glendive, Montana, the son of Ralph A. and Eleanor (Cummings) Newton. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Margaret Parker on July 11, 1949, carefully timing the nuptials between cuttings of hay. Ranching all of his life, he was overjoyed with his parents' purchase of the current ranch on Deer Creek in 1947. Embracing these rolling pastures, harsh badlands, or farmable flats, Bob was a genuine man of the land and livestock. He loved this ranch so and was proud to remain on it until the time of his death, even though he endured the last 27 years with debilitating handicaps for which he never once asked pity. In addition to ranching, Bob was a founding director of the First Fidelity Bank in Glendive. He was instrumental in establishing the local Farm Bureau District and served on the boards of Grain Growers, Golden Valley School, and the Dawson County Fair. One of his proudest accomplishments in the second half of his life was teaming with his dear friend Jim Rahr in the design and construction of Bob and Phyllis' unique earth sheltered home at the ranch. The blueprint drawn on the back of a Skoal can, Jim and Bob spent countless hours engineering the home to be placed in a shallow behind a hill where Bob had observed cattle enjoying gentle protection from the wintry weather. The result was a home that the land seems to embrace as her very own. Bob and Phyllis loved to spend a calm evening on the patio, pleasuring in the vast expanse of livestock, wildlife, and physical beauty before them. His main hobbies were his beloved agates and lapidary, coins, and oh those many, many games of cards with friends and family. The Monday night poker table is full once again. Always an admirer of good humor, Bob was a great storyteller of the colorful characters in his past and times he had experienced, both of which there were many. Having re-focused his life with God at a Cursillo in 1980, a highlight of his week was the Saturday morning bible study group who were kind enough to always gather at the ranch. Rosary and mass were very important to Bob. Especially later in life, Bob's time was spent in prayer for those he loved. Being "our knees" was his contribution to all of us since his physical abilities were limited. His life these past 27 years has been fruitful beyond comprehension, thanks to his prayer. Having such an intimate relationship with God also resulted in the eventual gentleness of his end on this physical earth and his certain place in God's kingdom. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elda Faye, and brother, Roy. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis, of Glendive; four children: John (Cheryl) of Farmington, New Mexico, Kathy McLane of Dillon, MT, Clay (Laurene) Newton, and Connie (Mike) Hilger of Glendive. His nine grandchildren Jennifer Moore of Great Falls, MT, Angela (Steve) Boser, Valoree Newton, and Joshua Newton all of Farmington, NM; Derry (Paulette) McLane of Bozeman, Seth Newton, Codi (Cole) Smith, Wyatt Newton, all of Glendive; and Ward Hilger of Aberdeen SD. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Brayden and Brenna Moore, Kyle and Lance Boser, Chase, Chance and Sydnee McLane, and Quinn Smith.

Robert E. "Bob" Newton

May 24, 1928 - January 24, 2008

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Robert E. "Bob" Newton

May 24, 1928 - January 24, 2008

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support