Final Salute

April 21, 2022 Robert C. Lemm Jr. formerly of Helena, MT at the age of 89, left this life for coveted greener pastures of the ever after. He passed away peacefully with his wife Marilyn and family by his bedside.

Bob’s journey began on May 11th, 1932, in Butte America as first born to Robert C. and Margaret R. Lemm Sr. Bob was the oldest of three siblings, Patricia his sister and Howard, the baby of the family.

After graduating from Butte High School, he attended Gonzaga University, then entered the Navy. He played football for the Navy while stationed at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. Next, he was stationed at The Atomic Testing Center, Lake Mead, Nevada. At this site where he served as a Navy Seabee, Bob saw first-hand the immediate and delayed effects of a nuclear bomb.

Later, he married Marilyn J. Zinnie of Butte. Together they had a family of four incredible, children who were never in any trouble, and always the apple of their eyes (haha); Bobby, Mike, David and the caboose, Michelle aka “Ralph.”

Bob’s work ethic and desire to take care of his family lead him to many exciting and rewarding endeavors. While serving in the Navy’s Construction Battalion, he developed a passion for heavy equipment that lasted throughout his life and was the segue to his construction business. From there, Bob’s innate abilities for hospitality lead him to the wonderful world of hotels. He was General Manager of three of Montana’s landmark hotels: the Florence in Missoula, Rainbow Hotel in Great Falls and Tim and Betty Babcock’s Colonial Inn in Helena. His entrepreneurial spirit continued to beckon, and he went on to develop Lemm’s Wine & Spirits brokerage company, and Montana Distillers, Inc.

Throughout his lifetime, he was always willing to lend anyone a helping hand. His charitable giving was usually done anonymously and without any thought for personal acknowledgement. He always served the communities where he lived in many ways. One of his most notable commitments was to serve on the Board of Trustees at Shodair Children’s Hospital Foundation for over 24 years.

He will always be remembered in our hearts for these things:

One who had a classic sense of style and dress; from gentlemanly elegance to the very fanciful colored tennis shoes, shirts, ties, and of course his outrageously colorful socks!!!

His resounding heartfelt laugh!! If you were in the room and Dad was laughing, you could not help but laugh with him. It was one of the most exuberant and infectious laughs anyone could ever hear!!! To know Bob was to share laughter and a kind word, whether a friend or stranger.

His participation in the many hilarious antics of the “members” of the self proclaimed Upper Westside Homeowners Association. Forever etched in our

memory will be the continued resurrection of the ‘candelabra’. When you least expected it, that thing would simply appear!

A familiar site would be Bob with a cigar in his mouth, driving down the street in one of his signature cars (sometimes mistaken as the county coroner), or watering the lawn at midnight! But, always, always a warm smile and a gracious heart!

He radiated silent inner strength, unmistakable charisma, and complete and utter love for his family!

So, my family… “I leave you with the faint smell of cigar smoke, the distant sound of a train whistle, the sun rising and setting on Flathead Lake, and forever holding your hands in the waves. You will find me there, and my love for you shall never die!”

Throughout his life, Bob would rather give than receive. To celebrate Bob’s life, we invite you to make memorial contributions to the following or to an organization of your choice.

Fort Harrison VA and/or Liberty House or Homeless Veterans Program:

VA Voluntary Services (specify your choice of above the named programs)
P.O. Box 167
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636

Shodair Children’s Hospital Foundation
P.O. Box 5539
Helena, Montana 59604

To Donate Online: Shodair.org

Our family wishes to thank all who cared for our loved one, Bob Lemm at:
Providence Hospital, St. Joseph, Polson,
Providence Hospital, St. Patrick’s Missoula
Veteran’s Administration, Fort Harrison, Montana
To each of you who care for the sick: we wish to recognize your professionalism, the coordination of team work to give the best of care and treatment to that very vulnerable person who depends on your skills, knowledge, and most of all compassion. A simple “thank you” hardly seems enough. We thank each doctor and their coordinated care teams at St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s hospitals.

To the Veterans Hospital, To the Doctors, Nurses, All Coordinated Staff (4th floor); Each of you who cared for Bob manifested such compassion, respect, and dignity for him. We thank you. And we will always remember the tribute to our veteran as he was honored and presented to us, his family, for the last time.

Bob is predeceased by his Parents: Robert C. Lemm Sr. & Margaret R. Lemm Father and Mother- in-Law: Harry M. Zinnie & Rose H .Zinnie, Son: Robert C.”Bobby” Lemm III, Sister: Patricia Lemm Sicotte, Brother: Howard W. Lemm, Sister in Law: Carole Zinnie.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Marilyn, Children: Michael & Jodee Lemm, David Lemm, Michelle & Garth Scott, Grandchildren: Mykell Lemm, Leesah Lemm (Forrest Smith), Christian Lemm (Joshana Sims), Great Grandchildren: Deegan Lemm, Madison Lemm, Sister-in-Law: Shirley Lemm, Nephews: Howard Lemm and Daniel Lemm, Nieces: Laurie Clause, Kathy Vick, Carol McGivern, close family friends: James Johnston, Jerry Strong, Frank Piazzola.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Cornelius Lemm Jr., please visit our floral store.