Robert "Bob" L. Halgren, 86

Robert L. “Bob” Halgren, 86, of Lake Mary Ronan passed away in Polson on Feb. 15, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born on March 16, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bob grew up in Salt Lake and married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Gundersen, on Sept. 20, 1955.

Bob was a student-athlete at Westminster College where he was a two-way starter on the championship football team. Upon graduation in 1959, he moved his young family to Charlo, where he started his career as a math teacher and coach.

From 1965 until 1980 he developed the Charlo football program into a perennial powerhouse in 8-man football. His record as a head coach was 111-10-1, including a 56-game unbeaten streak. A highlight of Bob’s career was winning the 1976 Montana Class C Football Championship.

In 1980 the family moved to Florence for a year before returning to the Mission Valley where Bob worked as the Ronan High School Principal and later as the Superintendent. After a successful career, they retired to their current home at Lake Mary Ronan.

Bob was an avid sportsman and loved being outdoors with family and friends. He was an involved grandparent who loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bob had a special gift with young people and would take a special personal interest in his grandkids’ lives. He was tireless in his devotion to his sweetheart and exemplary in his tender care for her.

Bob is survived by his wife (Virginia) as well as three sons: Steve (Sue) of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Dale (Pam) of Richland, Wash.; and Mark (Tracey) of Belgrade, Mont. He also blessed the lives of 12 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, a viewing is scheduled for noon with a Funeral Service at 1 p.m. at the Ronan Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 700 4th Ave SE. Burial will be at the Ronan Cemetery. All are invited to a reception following the service and burial. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.