Pablo man drowns in Flathead Lake

The search for a Pablo man in Flathead Lake was officially halted Monday night and search and rescue crews will now turn their attention to trying to recover the body after he drowned Saturday evening during a brief storm.

Dennis Silgen, 59, was fishing in a 13-foot aluminum boat near Bird Island when rain storms Saturday night forced him to return to Blue Bay. Family members notified the Lake County Sheriff's office that he had not returned later that evening, and rescue crews began a search, but were hampered by darkness.

On Sunday morning, rescue crews, including Tribal, county and civilian boaters, attempted to locate him but found only his boat, a life jacket and his dog, which had drowned. Search efforts were officially halted Monday night, Lake County Undersheriff Mike Sargeant said.

"The official search has been called off, as of last (Monday) night, but we are looking at bringing in side sonar at the family's request and expense in hopes of locating the body," Sargeant said.

Silgen is thought to have drowned in an area of the lake that can reach depths of almost 300 feet. Side sonar works by scanning sideways rather than straight down.

Silgen was a retired Los Angeles city fireman where he had helped with search and rescue efforts there, his wife Laura said in an interview Tuesday. Silgen had retired from the fire department on disability pay after surviving a helicopter crash, along with the pilot, that killed four other people, Laura said.

"He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved fishing Flathead Lake," she said. "We are Christians, and we believe nothing is an accident. That's where God chose him to rest, because he loved the lake."

Laura Silgen said rescue crews did everything they could and that the family was grateful for their efforts.

"They did what they could with what they had to work with, and we are happy for that," she said. "They worked their hearts out."

The family has started a memorial fund at Community Bank in Polson to raise money for the county's search and rescue program. They hope to raise enough money for a boat with a search light, Laura Silgen said.

"They need supplies and a search boat with a light. That's what we are hoping for," she said. "But we are grateful for all the work they did over the weekend. They did the best they could."

A memorial service for Silgen will be held at Blue Bay campground north of Finley Point this Saturday, April 30 at noon. The family said dress is casual.