Judge Robert Walter Holmstrom

Judge Robert Walter Holmstrom, 89, died Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at his home in Billings, following a fall. He was born on March 29, 1928, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of Walter and Martha Holmstrom. He attended a one-room country school near Red Oak, Iowa, for six years, then completed grade school and high school in Redmond, Oregon, graduating from high school in 1945. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy. At the time he enlisted, the war with Germany had ended and his naval career was brief, as the war with Japan ended shortly thereafter. He was discharged from the Navy on Aug. 22, 1946.

While he was in the Navy, his parents moved to Missoula, and, upon his discharge, he enrolled at the University of Montana. He graduated in 1952 and earned degrees in business administration and law. Following graduation, he worked for two different oil companies in Billings. On Oct. 31, 1953, he married Patricia Hennessy in Conrad. They became parents of two children, Jan and Rich. He practiced law in Billings until he was appointed District Judge on March 22, 1984. He served in that capacity until retiring on Dec. 31, 1997.

After retirement, he and his wife spent 18 winters in Sun City, Arizona. Due to his failing eyesight, they stopped spending winters there in 2015 and lived year round in Billings.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Darlyene D'Orazi; and his son, Rich. He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Jan (Jay) Thom; and seven grandchildren, Sean (Erin), Isaac, David, Seth, Joshua, Heidi and Hannah Thom; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and James Thom.

No funeral will be held, at his request.