Robert “Bob” William Barnhart

Robert "Bob" William Barnhart, age 90, of Billings, passed away on Aug. 1, 2018. He leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter, and lots of fond memories of the times he spent with his family.

Bob was born in Denver on Feb. 25, 1928. He was the second of nine children of Lillian Heimer and Ralph Barnhart. He graduated from North High School in Denver and joined the Navy in 1947, serving two years at sea. While honesty was always important to Bob, in his youth he didn't mind getting into a bit of mischief; he had a tattoo and some fun stories to prove it.

After the Navy, Bob attended North Colorado University in Greeley, where he got a bachelor's and master's degree in education. He married Beverly Homvak in 1952, and the first of their five children was born in 1954. After a few years as a high school educator, Bob decided to take a job at IBM in the new and upcoming field of computers. Bob's long and successful career at IBM took him and his growing family from Denver to Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle and finally to Bozeman.

Bob was ready to settle down in Montana. Within a few years, he left IBM, but continued in computing and went back to teaching. He became an adjunct professor at Montana State University, teaching programming languages even before personal computers were popular.

Bob shared many things with his children ... from his secret recipe for great hamburgers to big splashes in hotel pools to how to pitch a softball. He taught them to love the outdoors through fishing, skiing, backpacking and camping trips.

Bob married Sandy Moody in 1983 in Seattle. For the next 35 years, they shared love, family and adventures together. Their love of travel allowed them, for many years, to split their time between Montana - including extended stays in San Diego, Tucson and the Oregon coast. Their adventures included new and old pursuits: golf, sightseeing, entertaining family and painting lessons were among them.

Bob and Sandy steadfastly followed the Seattle Seahawks and the Mariners, both in person (including a trip to spring training) and then on TV after settling for good in Billings. They teamed up on home projects and gardening. And, most of all, they simply enjoyed their time together.

In addition to his wife, Sandy, Bob is survived by his children: Barbara Barnhart (John Kjos), Bonnie Barnhart (Bob Johnson d.), Betsy Jasper (Mike), Bruce Barnhart (Laurie), Becky Barnhart (Nissa Hallquist); Sandy's children: Kathleen Wallace (Joe), Rob Moody (Barb); grandchildren: Karl Kjos, Ryan Kjos, Bryan Wallace, Megan Miranda (Jacob), Wesley Barnhart, Nate Johnson, Amy Krushensky (Tim), Breezy Cutler (Chris Wood); great-grandchildren: Zoey Krushensky, Max Krushensky, Evey Krushensky, Francesca Miranda, Clark Miranda, Remi Wood; and one great-great-grandchild, Reese Krushensky.

Services will be held at a later date.