Robert Testa

Robert "Bob" Anthony Testa, 64, passed away of natural causes June 13, 2007, at his home at the Mountain View Manor in Whitefish.

Bob was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 11, 1942, to Salvatore and Esther Testa.

In 1972, he moved to Lakeworth, Fla., to be with his parents, and in 1994 he moved to Whitefish to join his mother and brother Roy.

Bob served his country proudly as a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge in 1969. He worked at various occupations in his life — motel night auditor, toll booth collector and in manufacturing.

He was a gentle soul who had a good heart. He lived a quiet life while in Whitefish and at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He had a great passion and expertise for chess and loved to play against the computer when finding someone to play with was difficult.

He had a special sense of humor that was shared with all he met, from the grocery clerks at Safeway to the waitresses he met on his frequent visits to local cafes where he went to sit and drink his coffee.

He could be seen in his last few years riding around Whitefish on his motorized chair as he would venture out to shop and take care of business. That little chair gave him the independence that he cherished so much.

Bob was a kind and honest person who served his country with distinction and liked to joke around with everyone. He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sam and Esther.

He is survived by brothers Richard Testa, of Lakeland, Fla., and Roy Testa and wife Addie, of Whitefish; and four nieces.

Bob's request was that any donations in his name be made to North Valley Hospital.