Robert "Bob" Brunson

Robert “Bob” Brunson took his final flight on December 20, 2024 at the age of 85 after a brief but serious illness. A son of Big Sky country, Bob was a lifelong Missoula resident. He was born to Clifford Brunson and Lula Ruth Weiler (née Daniels) on November 20, 1939.

He graduated from Missoula County High School, class of 1957. After graduation, he served in the United States Navy as a machinist aboard USS Yellowstone and USS BEARSS until 1960.

Bob married Judy Taylor (née, Aspin) and unto that union, three daughters were born. Bob then married his high school sweetheart, Valerie Brunson (née Walford).

Bob was a riot. He spelled his name with one “O” and could find the humor in anything. A longtime member of the East Missoula Volunteer Fire Department and the Lions Club, he believed strongly in community service and leaving things better than he found them. Bob had numerous jobs in the construction and mechanical field, but he spent the last part of his career at Smurfit-Stone Container.

He could be cantankerous, but he was kind at his core. Even through his sometimes-prickly exterior, you could always rely on him to remember your birthday— and give you a call.

An avid aviator, Bob offered numerous rides in his airplane to kids via the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagle program. He loved “burning a hole in the sky” just about every chance he could get.

Bob had a penchant for the word “free.” He could take one man’s trash and turn it into a treasure. With his welding skills and creative flair, he dotted East Missoula and beyond with custom mailboxes for his family and neighbors.

Bob’s legacy reigns on through his enduring spirit— and one-liners or “Bobisms” that will forever be in his family’s vernacular. He joins his parents and sister Valerie Bieber, stepfather Phil Weiler, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Valerie, sister Valetta Hutcheson and the Weiler siblings (Gerry Weiler, Peter Weiler, Cathy Requarth, Roseanne Hiday, and Annie Weiler), daughters Kelly Brunson, Casey Janssen and Carla Cooper; stepchildren Scott Kraft and Sherri Hopper (Scott Hopper); and five grandchildren Justin Anderson, Nick Baldwin, Ashlyn Wheeler, Trent Tucker, and Robbie Barnhart; and eight greatgrandchildren. Services will be on July 12, 2025 at the East Missoula Lions Park at 1 p.m.