Robert D. Krout, 88, of Victor passed away Tuesday, Aug 27, 2024, at his home. He was born February 18, 1936, in Hamilton, MT, the son of Rodney Krout and Edith Osburne. Bob was raised in the Bitterroot Valley, with four older brothers and two sisters, and graduated from Stevensville High School in 1955. He had to be self-sufficient during his high school years, working various jobs including full time summer work at a gas station and the railroad.. After graduation he was in the U.S. Forest Service as a smokejumper and resided as a fire lookout. He joined the U.S. Air Force, and married his wife, Lloyda Heggen (high school sweethearts) in 1956. Bob was stationed in Omaha at Offutt AFB/SAC (Strategic Air Command), so Lloyda moved there to begin their life together.
When Bob completed his service duty, the family moved back home to Missoula, MT in 1960, where Bob worked for Wright Lumber Company, then Solar Gas, then Liquid Air. He saw a need for welding equipment repair so started his own business on the side, Bob’s Welding and Apparatus Repair, working out of his garage while continuing working full time up until retirement.
In 1971, Bob and the family moved to Florence, MT where he continued working Liquid Air, Bob’s Welding & Apparatus Repair, and now learning the school bus system from Father-in Law, Lloyd Heggen. Soon after, Bob and Lloyda bought the school buses and contracted with Florence Carlton School and Bob managed full time, adding coach bus tours a year later. Bob was also passionately dedicated to the Florence Volunteer Fire Department for many years, and retired as the fire chief.
In 2004, Bob retired from L&B Busing, continued with Bob’s Welding & Apparatus Repair until 2017. At that time, Bob andLloyda moved to Victor, MT and have resided there since.
Bob and Lloyda were married 68 years and raised three children, Kathy, Mike, and Ron. Bob was regularly active supporting them in all their activities. He played the role of Scoutmaster as well as supporting them in sports (including driving their team buses to games) and taught them to be strong and independent individuals.
Bob is survived by wife Lloyda, daughter Kathy (Stuart) in Spokane Valley, WA, son Mike and wife Shelly in Victor, MT, son Ron in Helena, MT and sister Linda Conley, Helena, MT. Bob and Lloyda have 10 grown grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024, 10:00 A.M. at the Florence-Carlton Community Church in Florence, MT. A reception will follow in the church’s fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers/gifts, family suggests donations be made to Bob’s favorite charity, St Jude’s Children’s Fund, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.