Robert (Bob) Galveston Montgomery, 90, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2020, in his home in Portland, Oregon. Bob was born July 17, 1929, to Robert Montgomery and Cecil Byrley and his sister Patsy, in the Town of Barbourville, Kentucky. Bob was raised by his Aunt Pat, husband William Dishman and son Bland. The family-owned and lived in the Dishman Springs Hotel in the Cumberland Mountains outside of Barbourville, located in Southeast Kentucky. During this time most men in the community were absent due to military service during WWII and sports coaches and referees to play school sports were not available. Living in the mountains, in his spare time Bob experiencing a bit of a Tom Sawyer lifestyle. He attempted to avoid school at times, swam in the large lake behind the Hotel, became a crack shot while hunting small game, and had adventures deep into the Cumberland Mountains with his friends and hound dogs, providing him with many fond childhood memories.
In 1946 Bob enlisted in the Navy at seventeen years old. He served on a ship as a Fireman. This time was between WWII and the Korean War, and during the civil war within China. His ship played a role in supporting the Chiang Kai-shek government by transporting Chinese troops to different port cities to repel the rebel opposition. While on shore leave, in port, he witnessed cities falling into chaos and violence suffering from the fall of during the falling of government control to the Mao Zedong communists.
Later, when stationed in Astoria, Oregon he met his beautiful bride and wife of 44 years, Katherine Kampa while visiting Portland. Bob was discharged from the Navy on July 14th, 1950 and Bob and Katherine were married in Vancouver, Washington on August 14, 1950
Bob moved a small berry picker's shack from his in-law's property and moved it two miles onto a property three miles Northwest of Sandy. He completely renovated it into a home and Bob and Kay started a family. Over time he expanded the house to match the growth of the family with 6 children. Bob changed careers in the '70s from working at Precision Castparts Corp. in Portland to operating his own construction company for over 30 years. Apart from business, Bob enjoyed the time with his family and friends. He regularly met friends for breakfast in Sandy and became active in the Sandy Kiwanis. Bob was elected President for Sandy Kiwanis in 1994. He retired from business shortly following the passing of his wife Katherine in 1992.
Bob married Virginia Perry on April 22, 1993, and moved into a retirement community in Portland with a winter home in Arizona for many years where he enjoyed the company of several retired Sandy area residents. Bob and Virginia were married for eighteen years before her passing. While retired he loved to go fishing, shoot pool, and play cards with his friends. Until recently Bob played snooker with friends several times a week at the Summerplace clubhouse.
Bob is survived by his son Robert (Barbra) and granddaughters Stacey and Corrine, his daughter Sheila (Jim) and grandsons Robert and Scott; Daughter Rachel (Tony) and granddaughters Amber, Ali, and Monica, daughter Ida (Frank) granddaughter Leona, and grandson Ryan; his son Michael and grandsons Robert, Jonathan, and Michael; and grandsons Gabriel and Jacob the sons of daughter Kathy (Mark), including nieces and nephews Barbra and Susie Bell, and from Katherine's side, Eleanor, and daughters Ruby and Delia, Chris and her son Tony, Rozaland and her son Evan
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wives, sister, and youngest daughter, Kathy Evans.
Special thank you from all of Bob’s family members to Carolyn Clow for taking such kind and tender care of both our father and stepmother over the years, and Carolyn Clow and Randi Alldritt for taking the best possible care of Bob and supporting the family during hospice.