Bob McCandless, 76

Bob “Mr. Muck” McCandless passed away at home on Feb. 4, 2019, after a long war with Alzheimer’s disease, at the age of 76.

He was an only child born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Nov. 11, 1942, to the Rev. Alexander and Esther McCandless. His early childhood was spent in LaCrosse, Kansas. The family later moved to California where he attended Anaheim High School. He was a music major at California State University at Long Beach.

Bob, his wife Cookie, and their six children moved to Lakeside in 1978. He began his teaching career at Somers School, sharing his love of music for 26 years.

In 1985 he and his friend Martie Shiffman started Flathead Lake Music Camp, making 2019 its 34th year.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife Ronna McCandless, his parents, and his grandson Steven Buller.

He is survived by his wife, Cookie McCandless, of Missoula; son Arthur O’Neal (Dona) McCandless, of Kalispell; daughter Melody Buller and granddaughter Stacy Buller of Bigfork; daughter Jennifer McCandless, granddaughter Jacqsyn Dieziger and grandson Jordan (Madison) Dieziger of MIssoula; daughter Julie (David) Mailman, grandson Justin (Kelsey) Mailman and granddaughter Chelsea (Caleb) Wermelskirchen, great-granddaughters Greysen and Louella Wermelskirchen of Kalispell; daughter Debra (Erik) Crosby of Stevensville, grandson James Corbett of Seattle, and granddaughter Alexi Corbett of Missoula; and daughter Amy (Solomon) Pannell, grandsons Joshua and Brandon Pannell and granddaughter Sierra Pannell of Missoula; and numerous other extended family members and friends.

We will be celebrating Bob’s life in Kalispell on June 30 at Woodland Park. Check out Facebook for all the details. If you knew Bob, please come and share your memories of him with his family and friends.