Douglas Robert “Bob” Birk, 94, of Aurora, Colo., and formerly of Marion, passed away on Nov. 27, 2013, in Englewood, Colo., following a short illness.

He was born to Ingvald and Selma Thompson Birk in Fertile Township, Walsh County, N.D., on Dec. 22, 1918. His childhood was spent on his family's ranch in Tanamo, Cuba, where he lived the perfect boy's life — sailing boats, hunting for treasure and riding horses.

In 1934, the family relocated to Miami where he completed high school before working for Pan American Airlines. In 1940 the family bought a ranch in Marion and Bob studied at the University of Montana at Missoula, graduating with a degree in chemistry. He continued his education at the University of Montana's School of Law.

He married Elizabeth Lou “Bette” Bond, of Kalispell, on July 3, 1943, in Superior. After their marriage he worked for the U.S. government until the late 1940s when they relocated to Chicago. In 1958, Bob and Bette founded Ade Chemical Company in Tiskilwa, Ill.

His wife, Bette, died on Aug. 21,1968, in Tiskilwa, and is buried in C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

In 1988, he moved to Ocala, Fla., where he married Margaret Kellogg. She preceded him in death in September 2004. In 2012, he moved to Colorado to be closer to his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

Bob was fluent in Spanish and, to the end of his life, he would try to engage anyone, going out of his way to speak to those who also spoke Spanish. Whenever he met someone, he would say, “I'm Bob Birk. Glad to know you.” And he was. He loved people. He also authored several books.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ingvald and Selma C. Thompson Birk; his wives, Bette and Margaret; his sisters, Inger Birk and Burget Birk Boyce; his brother, Tom Birk; his nieces, Jacqueline Boyce Nelson and Doniell Birk; his nephews, Thomas Birk and Randall Ingram; and his sister-in-law, Lorraine Bond Hanchett Stenseth.

He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth “Marbeth” Birk Marcheschi, and her husband, Michael Marcheschi, of Aurora, Colo., along with his stepdaughters, Sarah and Robie Travis of St. Charles, Ill., and Jennifer and Chuck Barth; of Princeton, Ill., and their families. He was the grandfather of Jordan and Jesse Honea of Boulder, Colo., Ian Marcheschi, of Denver, Katherine Marcheschi and Matthew Millyard of Cambridge, England, and Emily Marcheschi of Boulder. He was also the great-grandfather of Jared and Christopher Honea of Boulder. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Thallis Birk, of Kalispell; his nephews, Tim and Julie Birk, Brett Birk, Scott and Nancy Hanchett, and Larry Hanchett, all of Kalispell, Bill and Kathy Hanchett of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Mike and Mariellen Hanchett of Anchorage, Alaska; and his nieces, Jolanda Boyce Ingram of Polson, Eileen and Bob Nordwick of Missoula, Kimberly and Lloyd Birk Bell of Washington, and Linda and Randy Hanchett Snyder of Bigfork.

A memorial service with the internment of ashes tentatively set for the summer of 2014 at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.