Cloudy, 48° F
(Jan. 31, 2010)
Robert Leroy “Bob” Kolb, 86, died Sunday, Jan.31, 2010, after a short illness with a brain tumor.
Bob was born Sept. 28, 1923, in Parker, S.D. He moved to Wyoming with his parents and graduated from Powell High School in 1941.
He attended one year of college in Sioux Falls, and then he was drafted in 1943. Bob served for three years in World War II with the U.S. Army and remained active with the National Guard for many years.
After the war, Bob returned to college and graduated with the first graduating class from Northwest College. He then graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula in 1950 with a business degree.
He married Loretta J. Winterholler on Dec. 25, 1949. Bob and Loretta recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Bob began his sixty-year career in the grocery business in 1950, working with his parents, Harold and Madge Kolb, and brother-in-law, Mike Beier at the Foodbasket IGA. In 1965, Bob and Mike purchased the store from his parents, and in 1980, Bob bought out Mike.
Bob devoted his life to the Powell community through many volunteer organizations and his lifelong vocation at the Foodbasket IGA. The pattern of his life was to be patient and persistent, and the history of his service spans decades with the Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Powell City Council, American Legion and, of course, Little League baseball. Bob played softball until age 75 and was recently honored for 50 years of coaching service to Little League.
Bob was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and served the congregation in many capacities. Bob was also recently honored by Kiwanis for 50 years of service with perfect attendance.
Bob was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth A. Kolb; his only daughter, Janice Ilene Kolb; his parents Harold and Madge Kolb; a brother, Lloyd Kolb; and his sister, Dorothy Beier.
Bob is survived by his wife, Loretta J. Kolb of Powell; sons Gregory Kolb (Belinda) of Cheyenne and Bradley Kolb (Kerri) of Powell; six grandchildren, Megan Kolb, Ryan Kolb, Jessica Barlow, Andrew Barlow (Caitlin), Landin Kolb and Ostin Kolb; two great-grandsons, Noah Barlow and Sojourn Barlow; another great-grandchild to be born in March; and two nieces, Patricia (Beier) Smith and Kathy Beier.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3, in the Nelson Auditorium on the Northwest College campus. Interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.
The family graciously appreciates donations to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bob’s memory.
Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneral.net.
