Bob was born at 325 N. Hoback, Helena to Emil E and Myrtle E (nee Anderson) Knoepke. He attended Helena schools.
Bob is a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps (1943-1945). He was a ball gunner in a B-24. He was shot down during a Ploesti, Romania raid on July 15,1944, parachuted into Yugoslavia, landed on the of Inland of Hvar, and broke his right leg and ankle. Tito’s underground evacuated him to the British controlled island of Vis. He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart and Good Conduct medal, Unit Citation, European-African Campaign with 7 Battle stars, and the Air Force Good Conduct medal and Victory Medal. During the Korean War (1951-1953), he served in Great Falls, MT.
Bob married Betty O’Bill in 1950 and had three children, John, David and Vicky. They later divorced. David tragically died in a car accident in 1972. He married Virginia (Ginger) Thorson in 1982.
He worked for Safeway stores as an over the road truck driver from 1947 through 1985. After retiring from Safeway in 1985 in Clovis, NM, Bob and Ginger bought a mobile park in Gold Hill, OR. Bob and Ginger moved back to Butte in 1994.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman, riding horseback into the high country, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling.
Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Ginger; son, David Knoepke; parents; brothers, L. Emil Knoepke and Lloyd T. Knoepke; daughter-in-law Carol Trythall Knoepke; son-in-law Butch Strain; and his first wife, Betty Knoepke.
He is survived by his children, John (Lindy) Knoepke and Vicky Strain; daughter-in-law, Barbara Searle; grandsons, David (Beth) Knoepke and Matthew (Diane) Knoepke; sister-in-law, Joyce O’Bill; stepchildren Reed (Ila) Porter, Randy (Shawna) Porter and Rita Porter; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The family is very grateful to the excellent care he received through the VA. We are also very thankful for the care and kindness of Marcy Black, Senior Solutions, A+, Copper Ridge Nursing Home and Honeybee Hospice.
Memorials in honor of Bob are suggested to the Disable American Veterans by visiting: help.dav.org
Family and friends are invited to a Graveside Service with Military Honors at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison in Helena, Montana, at 11:30am on Thursday, October 17th. A reception will follow at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in the reception hall, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena, Montana, 59602. Bob’s late wife, Virginia “Ginger”, will be laid to rest curing the ceremony along with Bob.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Bob.
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
11:30 am
Thursday October 17, 2024
Montana State Veterans Cemetery - Fort Harrison
Heroes Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Luncheon
Following the service
Thursday October 17, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
11:30 am
Thursday October 17, 2024
Montana State Veterans Cemetery - Fort Harrison
Heroes Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Luncheon
Following the service
Thursday October 17, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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John H Lovell says
Bob was such a great guy, they don’t come along like him anymore. He and Ginger were quite the team. I will miss him. My Condolences to Vicky and the family. Rest in Peace Bob.
Pamella Mae Rozan says
Bob used to rent my dad pasture out at his place at Little Basin Creek. He and my dad were truck driving pals at Safeway. RIP Bob. Pam Smith (Jim’s daughter).