Robert "Bud" Eugene Flanagan

Robert Eugene “Bud” Flanagan of Billings, Montana died peacefully on November 29th at the age of 91. Blessed with good health, he remained active throughout his long life. Born February 28th, 1933 in Gardar, North Dakota, he was the son of the late Robert Desmond and Olive (Samuelson) Flanagan. In high school, he played baseball and basketball and developed a lifelong interest in those sports. Early on, he also developed an interest in outdoor work and studied briefly at North Dakota State School of Forestry at Bottineau.

In 1956 he married Ellen Kertz of Edinburg, ND and they remained married for over 30 years, raising seven children together. Bud explored many living locations before settling in Billings, including Milwaukee, WI, Helena, MT, Spokane, WA as well as towns in his native North Dakota. He was also adventurous in exploring different career choices, eventually retiring from the United States Postal Service.

Bud had many long-term hobbies and interests. Anyone who knew him knew him as a “rockhound” and he amassed a large collection of specimens hunted throughout the upper Midwest and West. He was known to generously gift rocks to anyone around him who showed interest and he sometimes traveled hundreds of miles seeking rare rocks to add to his collection. Bud sometimes even “planted” rocks in easy to find places so that others might share the thrill of finding them. He spent much time working outdoors, especially enjoying anything to do with trees. Bud sometimes found work selling Christmas trees or working in the yards of friends and family. Bud was a fan of amateur sports, especially college basketball. He eagerly anticipated the NCAA tournament each March and nearly always rooted for the small, “underdog” schools.

Like a true Irishman, Bud had a love of written and spoken language. His children recall him reading inspirational stories to them when they were young. As his friends and family will attest, Bud was a dedicated letter writer including many published letters to the editor. He kept informal journals of his own and the writings of others which were often short, inspirational or humorous in nature. Bud actively strived to expand his vocabulary which came in handy in his very frequent Scrabble games. He relished entertaining others by sharing stories, jokes and reminiscences and connected with listeners while publicly singing karaoke at every opportunity. He even worked as an extra when a couple of Hollywood films were shot nearby! Bud could easily strike up a conversation with total strangers over a beer and enjoyed hearing their life stories and relating stories about his own early rural upbringing in the 1930’s and 40’s in Northeast North Dakota.

He was proud of both his Irish and Icelandic heritage and always relied on his deep Catholic faith, attending Mary Queen of Peace church Billings every Sunday and trying to help others whenever possible. Somewhere in heaven Bud is relating a humorous story, preparing to give a beautiful agate, or getting ready for his next Scrabble opponent.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Olive, brothers William and Richard and grandson Conor. He is survived by brother Lynn of Eagan, MN and sister Patricia (Dennis) Helt of Grand Forks, ND. He is survived by all seven of his children including Kevin (Bekki), Helena, MT, Timothy (Rene’), Billings, MT, Michael, Oswego, NY, Maureen, Bend, OR, Patrick (Peggy), Vicksburg. MI, Mary (Ron) Poe, Lincoln, NE and Kathleen (Scott) McFarland, Laramie, WY. Bud also has 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.