Robert F. Vaselenko

Robert F. Vaselenko, age 72, of Bigfork, Montana passed away Thursday, July 22, at the Kalispell Regional Center in Kalispell, Montana. He was born June 18, 1932 in Williston, North Dakota to Fred and Laura "Kirk" (Holms) Vaselenko.

Robert was raised in Williston, N.D. and graduated from Williston High School. He attended North Dakota State University and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956 with a B.S. in Engineering. He served seven years in the U.S. Air Force. One tour of duty was in Sembach, Germany for three years, where he was one of the first groups of officers to command a tactical nuclear missile crew. While in Germany, he coached the Air Force football team at that installation.

One of his most memorable sporting events was playing in the 1955 Sugar Bowl where the Naval Academy was victorious over "Ole Miss." He was honorably discharged for the U.S. Air Force in 1963 with the rank of Captain.

From 1963 to 1983 he was involved with the family farm in Williams County, N.D. He was a Master Mason; Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner in the KEM Temple in Williston, N.D. He devoted many hours to the charitable organizations that they support. He was also a member of the Elks, VFW, and American Legion. He moved to the Flathead Valley in 1983 living in Bigfork until the time of his passing.

He had a wonderful sense of humor and was an accomplished prankster. He loved to cook and was eager to try any new recipe, cooking technique, or cooking equipment. Fishing, golfing, and hunting were also part of his activities. Yearly fishing trips in the Northwest Territory with friends were his favorite trips because "that's where the big ones are!" His booming voice and distinct laugh will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Vaselenko and is now survived by his mother, Laura Kirk of Kalispell, Mont, his sister, Caryl Bennett and husband Robert of Whitefish, Mont. His niece, Diane Thorson and husband Jerry and their children; Keiraq, and Dakota, and Bennett of Boulder Colo also his nephew Kirk Bennett and wife Paula and children Connor and Brooke of Woodbury, Minn.

Memorial services for Robert F. Vaselenko will be held September 16, 2004 in Williston, North Dakota with urn burial at the Williston cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.