Robert G. Conley, 84
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 3 hours, 5 minutes AGO
Robert “Bob” G. Conley passed away on Aug. 10, 2026, at the age of 84 in Kalispell.
Bob was born in Kalispell and raised in the Swan River community, a place that remained close to his heart throughout his life. He attended Swan River School and graduated from Bigfork High School in 1960.
Following graduation, Bob joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an aviation mechanic and took great pride in supporting B-52 bombers and tanker aircraft. He later married Deanna at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork. The couple moved to West Seattle, where Bob worked for Eagle Metals, before returning home to Swan River in 1968 to raise their family. Bob spent the next 34 years working as a millwright at the aluminum smelter in Columbia Falls.
Bob was happiest outdoors — hunting, fishing, mowing the lawn and gathering morel mushrooms — or with something mechanical in front of him that needed fixing. There seemed to be little he couldn't repair.
Above all, Bob was devoted to his family. He took great pride in caring for those he loved and was a constant source of love, support and guidance. In later years, Bob shared an interest in Conley family history with Deanna and their daughter, tracing the family's roots back to their first immigrant ancestor from Ireland.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Aldine; his brothers, Bill and Dickie; and his brother-in-law, Clarence Gembala.
He is survived by his wife Deanna; brother Dale (Karen); sister Betty Gembala; sisters-in-law Pat and Margaret; son Bryan (Jenny); daughter Della; and grandchildren Katherine, Shane and Benjamin.
Bob will be remembered for his capable hands, his love of the outdoors, his deep sense of responsibility, and most of all, his unwavering love for his family.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery on Swan River Road. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather at the Swan River Hall to share memories and celebrate Bob's life.
