Alvin Robert “Bob” Thorson, age 83, passed away December 5th, 2022 at Bitterroot Health/Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton, MT.
Bob was born October 17, 1939 to Alvin Ernest Thorson and Edith Mary Miller Thorson in the old Saint James Hospital in Butte, MT. His parents, he and his brother Don ranched in several places: Arlee, MT in 1940 up Valley Creek, Piquett Creek Ranch up the West Fork of the Bitterroot in 1942, and Wise River, MT at the Potts place until 1944, and later a ranch owned by Bob’s grandmother until 1948 when that ranch sold. At that point they moved back to the Bitterroot, first Victor, and then Corvallis. His home address has been Corvallis, MT since 1949.
Bob attended school in his early years at Wise River and Victor, and then from 5th grade until graduation in 1957 at Corvallis, MT. He was active in FFA at Corvallis school, and also the Lads-and-Lassies and Summerdale 4H Clubs. Bob was active in MYF at the Corvallis Methodist Church, and became a member on 12/20/1953. He continued to support his church for over 68 years.
In September 1957 he joined the US Navy and was on Active Duty until October 1960. He was in the Navy Reserves as a Drilling Reserve for a total of 30 years. He went on as a Retired Reserve until the age of 60, and upon final retirement had a total years of 42 years and one month of service.
Bob married Carolyn Kay Nordheim on June 20, 1965. They had their 41st wedding anniversary in 2006. They had two children, Christian Robert Thorson, and Jeanette Jo Thorson.
Bob worked at Thorson and Sons Manufacturing for 57 years, having his first job there turning the bellows for the forge. He moved on to cutting iron with the power hacksaw and drilling holes in iron. He also did woodwork after school. At the age of 13 he would drive the old truck from Bass Lane to the Tabor Sawmill in Riverside to pick up the boards to cut. Thorson’s Manufacturing stopped operations in 2006. Driving across-country you will still see the famous red chutes out on the land. Several of his hydraulic creations went on to veterinary schools around the country.
Bob was a past officer and 60-year member of the Corvallis Grange. He was a 4H leader for 18 years, and served as 4H Council President for two years. He served as a 4H judge at the Ravalli County Fair for 12 years. He was a Ravalli County Fair Superintendent for antique collections for many years. He also was Commissioner/Secretary of the Humble Drainage District for 20 ½ years.
After retirement Bob stayed very busy tinkering, gardening, canning, and enjoying his hobbies. He especially enjoyed his Tired Iron Group, and his “old car guys.” He taught himself to play piano, and wrote stories of his youth to pass down to his family. He taught his granddaughters to weld, and enjoyed studying history. He continued to be exceptionally active and always independent. Bob was always ready to tell an interesting or funny story.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Donald, and several in-laws. He is survived by his son Chris, daughter Jeanette Smith (Rob), his grandchildren Harlie Grace, Eden Kay, and Briar Thor; also his sister-in-law Linda Thorson, nephew Laurence Thorson and his wife Randi, all of Corvallis, and sister-in-law Joan Angel and her husband Richard in Texas.
Bob will be greatly missed by his family, friends, neighbors, and community that he was so much a part of.
A service will be held Wednesday, December 14th, at 1:00 pm at Daly-Leach Chapel. Private family interment will follow at Corvallis Cemetery following. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com
The family suggests memorials could be made to Ravalli County 4H Swine Program, 215 S 4th St Ste G, Hamilton, MT 59840 or Bitterroot Humane Association, 262 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton, MT 59840.