The Rev. Robert Leslie Van Alstine “went to be with his Lord and Savior” on Jan. 31, 2015. 

He was born on Dec. 31, 1927, in Kalispell, delivered by his great-grandmother who was a midwife. Robert graduated from Flathead County High School and was involved in sports. He played baseball, basketball and ice hockey. 

His first job was for the Daily Inter Lake as a paperboy, and then he went on to work for the Hungry Horse News and the Daily Inter Lake.  Bob then worked on the railroad where he learned Morse Code. 

Bob joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Paris, France during the World War II. He was in the Communications Division at SHAPE Headquarters. 

After serving his country, Bob married his wife Maralyn on Oct. 26, 1952. He accepted the Lord as his Savior through the influence of the Rev. Ralph Werner. He started attending Bethel Baptist Church and the Rev. Laurel Inabnit was his mentor. Bob was led to go to Omaha Baptist Bible College in Omaha, Nebraska, were he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree. He went to school full time and worked evenings at the Omaha World Herald as a teletype while raising a family, and was the editor at the school paper. 

After graduating, Bob pastored several churches; eventually he became the co-founder and executive director of the Baptist Child Placement Agency in Seattle. He worked there for 16 years and, after retirement, Bob and Maralyn retired in Kalispell. 

Bob, in his retirement became a published author, a poet, had two books published, was known as the “wordworker,” and was deacon of Bethel Baptist and on the mission board. 

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Leon Van Alstine; mother, Edith Fredenberg Van Alstine; brother, Richard Van Alstine; sister, Laura Patterson; and wife, Maralyn Eayrs Van Alstine, in 2007. 

He is survived by daughters, Kathy Cox and Steve, Lorrie Bentley and Derek, and Allison Latimer; brother, Walter Van Alstine; and sister, Barbara Patterson. Bob had seven grandsons, Corey Earp, Kelly Earp, Brandon Earp, Joshua Cox, Nathaneal Cox, Jeremiah Gillespie and Jedediah Latimer; and 11 great-grandchildren. 

A private burial will take place at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery and a celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at Bethel Baptist Church, with a reception to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert's name to Baptist Mid Missions Foundation, P.O. Box 308011, Cleveland, OH 44130-8011. 

Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.