Earl Donald “Bob” Merrill

Earl Donald "Bob" Merrill, of 3118 Thousand Oaks, Billings, passed away at the Morningstar Rest Home on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.

A resident of Billings since 1974, Bob was named the general manager of KULR Television in that year and subsequently became a significant contributor to not only the Billings community but the state of Montana as well, sitting on the St. Vincent Hospital, Red Cross, United Way and Montana Broadcasters Association boards of directors, among others. He was later inducted into the Montana Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

Best remembered in Selma, Calif., by his hometown nickname "Googe," he was born at home on Sept. 7, 1929, and attended Garfield and Roosevelt schools before attending Selma Union High School. After graduating in 1946, Bob accepted a football scholarship to Santa Ana Junior College, a decision that led to his participation in the 1949 JuCo national championship "Little Rose Bowl" game prior to accepting another scholarship to play for the University of Montana. After two years at the UM, he served in the U.S. Army as an information and communications specialist before returning to his beloved Montana and marrying Barbara Ingebritson of Great Falls.

The marriage was followed by Bob's rapid rise in what was then Montana's still fledgling broadcasting industry. It was a career that began with his 1953 weekend disc jockey start and continued through his role as a KFBB salesman in Great Falls; television station manager at KTWO in Casper, Wyo.; Harriscope Broadcasting Company Vice-President/General Manager at KULR; and finally closing with his 1988 retirement.

Bob considered Montana his adopted home and he dedicated himself to the Montana experience and improving the state's quality of life.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, in 2009; and is survived by sons Mark of Portland, Ore., and Chris of Billings; as well as his four grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the First Presbyterian Church in Billings.