Robert Elton "Bob" Windom

Robert Elton "Bob" Windom, 89, passed away peacefully at home on May 29, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Bob was born Nov. 8, 1936, in Albany, Oregon, to Walter and Clara (Pitcher) Windom. Because his father worked construction on major infrastructure projects throughout Oregon, Bob attended schools across the state before graduating from Reedsport High School. 

As a teenager, Bob worked on the Bill Kittredge Ranch on Klamath Marsh, where he developed a lifelong love of ranching and earned a reputation as someone who would tackle any job and quietly get things done. His plans for a ranching career changed when he was drafted into the United States Army, serving at Fort Carson, Colorado. 

While serving, Bob married Rita, his sister's best friend, on Dec. 28, 1959. They shared more than 66 years of marriage. After his military service, they lived in Winslow, Arizona, and The Dalles, Oregon, before settling permanently in Libby, Montana, in 1967. 

In Libby, Bob built a successful career in the beverage distribution business and entrepreneurship. Together, he and Rita operated several businesses, including Windom Distributing, Sunshine Vending, Montgomery Ward and Pioneer Sports. 

They shared a love of the outdoors and raised their family around fishing, water skiing, snowmobiling, motorcycles and camping. Bob was passionate about aviation and earned his pilot's license in the 1970s. He volunteered countless hours flying search-and-rescue missions with the Civil Air Patrol and was active in many community projects, including the Libby Sno-Kat Club, Logger Days activities and youth soccer sponsorships. He also helped showcase the Libby area to location scouts who later selected it as a filming location for Steven Spielberg's movie Always. 

In retirement, Bob and Rita spent winters in Ajo, Arizona, where Bob volunteered on desert wildlife conservation projects and pursued his award-winning photography of the Southwest. 

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rita; his parents; his sister, Mida; his brother, Clinton Windom; and his brother-in-law, Richard Moos. 

He is survived by his brother, Marvin "Buck" Windom; his sisters, Anita Hutchins and Cheryl Moos; his children, David Windom, Evan Windom, and Debbie Windom; daughter-in-law Brenda Windom; grandchildren Josh Windom, Cheri Senna, and Jake Lewis; and great-grandchildren Noal Windom and Jaden Lewis. 

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

Bob will be remembered for his quiet generosity, adventurous spirit, steadfast service and unwavering devotion to family and community.

Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.