John Robert “Bob” Grinde

John Robert “Bob” Grinde, 89, of Polson, Mont. passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011 at his home surrounded by family.

Bob was born on July 24, 1922 in Roy, Mont., a son of Severin and Anna Olnes Grinde. The family lived in Roy until 1935 and then moved to Polson. Bob graduated from Polson High School in 1940. He later attended St. Olaf College for two years in Northfield, Minn. and then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Afterward, Bob completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Montana in 1948, then attended Law School at the University of Montana and graduated with his Juris Doctorate degree in 1950. He went on to continue his legal studies at New York University where he graduated with an advanced law degree in taxation.

Bob married Marjorie Burnett on Nov. 23, 1950 in New York City and had one child while living there. In 1952, the family moved to Glendive, Mont. where another child was born and where the family remained for three years. They then moved to Polson in 1955 where their remaining four children were born.

While in Polson, Bob began working at the former Security State Bank and retired in 1979. He was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson. Bob loved hunting, fishing and outdoor activities, especially those with his family at the cabin at Lake Mary Ronan.

He was an avid reader, loved Montana and his home he created here. Bob especially loved his dogs, but his family and grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Besides his parents, Severin and Anna, Bob is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Bill Love.

Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Marjorie; his six children, Kathy Grinde of Mukilteo, Wash., Paul (Barb) Grinde of Polson, Janet Grinde of Helena, Mont., Pete (Cynthia) Grinde of Rio Rancho, N.M., Ann Love of Portland, Ore., and Roger (Michelle) Grinde of Stratham, N.H.; 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson.

Friends were invited to visit with Bob’s family on Sunday, Nov. 6 at Grogan Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Polson City Library would be greatly appreciated.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for the Grinde family.