Robert Louis ‘Bob’ Porch

Florence – Robert Louis “Bob” Porch, 87, of Florence, MT passed away of natural causes on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family. Bob was born on March 19, 1929 in Stevensville, MT and was the son of Elza and Gladys (Wardsworth) Porch.
He began his young life on the Porch Ranch in Wheel Barrow Gulch east of Lone Rock and moved early in this youth to a farm east of Florence. His father passed away at a young age while Bob was very young, during WWII, which made it impossible for his mother to keep the farm with four young children to care for. (He had an older brother Rod, now deceased, an older brother Wally still living in Minnesota and a younger sister Pat living in Missoula). His mother, still in her early 30’s, went to work for Boeing in Seattle, taking his little sister and him with her, leaving two older brothers to care for themselves. He began his early education at Florence-Carlton, where he met the love of his life, Emmy, who he proclaimed that he would marry while still in the 2nd grade. He had some schooling in Seattle, but was able to come back to Florence at the age of 13 to “batch” with brothers Wally and Rod. Rod had just returned from the war and Rod was able to finish high school at that time. The three Porch boys were able to play one year of basketball together. Bob graduated from Florence-Carlton in 1949.
On July 11, 1949, Bob married that childhood sweetheart, Emmy (Martha Emilene Hendrickson) and they enjoyed 60 wonderful years of marriage until her passing in August of 2009. While in school, Bob excelled in basketball and track and began that competitive Porch legacy at Florence-Carlton. Beginning in the early years of his life, taking a ranching job at the age of 13 at the Climbing Arrow in Three Forks, MT with big brother Rod, he learned a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility which he applied to every facet of his life, something he passed on to his children.
In his young married life, along with hard work to make a living he played competitive baseball, bowled in the winter along with “town team” basketball. His greatest claims to sports fame was that he got a hit off of Satchel Paige and his basketball team beat the “Redheads”, a women’s basketball team similar to the Harlem Globe Trotters. Bob never lost his love for sports or anything competitive. He was very good at horseshoes and any other yard game that came around. He taught sportsmanship and fairness and nurtured a competitive nature and spirit within his sons and grandchildren and continued to follow the “Boys” in all things they competed in, including traveling around the state to watch the “Boys” (Brad & Bryan) referee. At age 87 he was at the State Class ‘C’ tournament to watch Brad & Bryan ref together.
Early in his married life he moved his family, at that time only two children, to Cut Bank to make his fortune harvesting grain. Those who know him know that he didn’t find his financial wealth there but added another mouth to feed. Bob had many jobs, always trying to do the best for his family. He sold a few Hudsons, dry-land farmed, had a milk route with his brother, worked at the sugar beet mill whenever he wasn’t farming and custom harvesting grain and as tie inspector for the NP railroad. After years of farming frustration, he was approached while combing/harvesting grain at the now Larchmont Golf Course to become a local insurance agent which he embraced for 45 successful, fulfilling years including his two youngest sons and eventually passing on the business and knowledge to them although he never stopped representing many of his old ranch clients and friends into his 87th year.
Bob’s greatest joy was the love of his life, Emmy, and his five children, Valerie, Rob Jr. (Bob’s name changed to Senior when Rob was born), Lee, Bryan and Brad. He was a loving, caring and compassionate man and he accepted and embraced all future wives and husbands of his children and the children brought into the family by marriage equally. If you were in the Porch family by blood or marriage you were a “Porch”. Bob was a man who believed that “A stranger was a friend he hadn’t met.” To Bob, his friends were like family and I think they knew it, friends for life. His compassion was large for his friends and even the folks he insured. Many times he gave his last dollar to help out friends in need and continued that practice until the final end.
Bob was instrumental in getting the Carlton Community “Old White” Church on the historic registry, he served on the Cemetery Board for 42 years, passing the baton to son Bryan. He served on the school board at Florence-Carlton during some very difficult times when the school burned down and money was scarce. Bob was proud to be a Mason and part of the Masonic Lodge.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Emmy. He is survived by his children, Valerie and Brett Pumnea (Lolo), Rob and Kitty Porch (Corvallis), Lee and Debbie Porch (Priest River, ID), Bryan Porch (Missoula) and Brad Porch (Florence). He proudly proclaimed 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. The last few years of his life Bob enjoyed the friendship and companionship of Nancy Lee. They enjoyed traveling together, seeing friends and relatives and yard sales. Nancy was a special comfort to the end and is very much appreciated by the family.
His laughter and friendship will be missed by all who had the opportunity and pleasure to be in the “Porch family” which includes his many friends. He will be missed at Glen’s Café, the“Big Six” is now down to two, Glen Mikesell and Marion Davis. Bob was one of the last of the best, he will be missed by all but especially and dearly by his family. “Dad, we’ll see you up river!”
Funeral services were held at the Florence-Carlton Community Church on Saturday, August 27. A reception was held at the Church Community Room following interment. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be sent to: Carlton Cemetery Association, Attn: Will Crews, 505 Hidden Valley Road South, Florence MT 59833. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.