Bob Lockman was born in South Dakota. After college at Norfolk, Neb., he moved to California to work for Rockwell International where he met his wife Connie.

His work as a facilities engineer required his oversight of missile bases, and as a result, he spent time at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.

In 1994, Bob and Connie decided they wanted to leave California and seek a rural life. His experience at Malmstrom convinced him he wanted to live in Montana, and after exploring the state they opted for Whitefish. They have six children and 11 grandchildren and thoroughly enjoy their acreage, where they raise ostriches, llamas, and Boer goats.

In California Bob, coached baseball and owned and managed a semi-pro team. Locally, although he was busy building barns and caring for livestock, his love of baseball and a deep desire to help young people attracted him to the Glacier Twins. He served on its board of directors for many years but mainly exerts his efforts toward improvement of its facilities.

Friends say it's obvious that the Twins are "near and dear" to him and recite that he has been a leading force in supplying lights, dugouts, landscaping, fundraising and "every aspect of maintaining the team and improving its facilities."

His current passion is the construction of the new grandstand. As chairman of the task force to raise the money and build the structure, he points with pride to the site work they have completed, and states they hope to have 16 huge uprights and a roof in place by April.

Bob, your relentless efforts for the youth of our community and the improvement of our infrastructure is a benefit to all. You are making our "best place" even better, and we thank you.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail jheckathorn@centurytel.net.