Robert F. Zuklic

Bob Zuklic will be remembered by friends and family Dec. 13, in a 10:00 mass at St Thomas church in Billings, MT. Born the second of two sons of Croatian immigrants, he grew up in Chicago and attended North Dakota State University on a football scholarship where he graduated in 1956. After serving in the US Army, he returned to Fargo where he met and eventually married Bobbi (Nelson) Zuklic in 1963. They started a family, and Bob pursued a career in heavy truck sales, starting with International Harvester and largely staying in that field throughout his career. In 1969, they moved to Billings where they raised their four children, Cathy, Joe, John, and Steve, on Stinson Avenue.

Bob's career in sales suited a man who never missed a chance to strike up a conversation. He enjoyed travelling, and always found the best café off the beaten path for a piece of pie, lunch, or coffee. Even in retirement he could often be found in a café or coffee shop talking, occasionally arguing, usually lacking a filter, but always engaged with someone. His outgoing personality also suited his passion for music, and he sang and played banjo all his adult life whether with the Billings Banjo Band, The Fallout Five, the Happy Four, The Longtime Lonesome Dogs, the 2nd Avenue stompers or on the front porch on a summer night. Bob was in several organizations over the years including the Lion's Club, often helping with the camp near Red Lodge. He also joined the Cursillo movement and stayed active in prison ministries until his last months, making many close friends.

Bob was a devoted husband and father. His job kept him away from home often, but he still managed to attend countless children's games, concerts and programs; he still managed to be around for a hook-shot in the driveway, or a game of pinochle. And he enjoyed meals with family-perhaps enjoying food too much, especially pizza. But most of all he loved coming home to his wife, Bobbi, and their marriage of 53 years was the center of his life and the family they raised.