Donald Robert "Bob" Hellinger, 80, of Devon, a long-time farmer and pilot, died of natural causes Thursday, May 31, at his farm.
Bob was born March 12, 1932, in Shelby to Donald F. and Jennie C. (Hebbard) Hellinger. Bob grew up on the farm north of Devon, attending schools in Devon and graduating from Shelby High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and after spending four years in the service, he decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life farming. In 1957, he and his brother Dean formed the Hellinger Bros. Farm, which they operated for 41 years. When he retired, he and Dean leased the farm to the next generation of Hellinger Bros.
In 1959, Bob married Marie Dounley, the love of his life. They had two sons; a grandson; and granddaughter.
Bob owned and flew his own airplanes for over 53 years. He had received the Wright Bros. Master Pilot award in 2009 for 50 years of safe flying. Over the years, Bob gave a countless number of young people their first airplane ride, encouraging each of them to become interested in aviation.
Bob was president of the Devon Farmers Union Local, the Devon Farmers Union Oil Co., Secretary of the Toole County National Farmers' Organization, served on the Toole County Airport Board and as Toole County's representative on the Highway 2 Association. He was also secretary of the Galata County Water District for 16 years.
Bob was a proud supporter of all of the Shelby Coyote teams over the years, and so enjoyed all of his many friends. He was an avid golfer who got a hole in one in 2007 on the Marias Valley Golf Course.
Donald is survived by his wife; two sons; brother and his wife; his two grandkids; and many cousins.
Complete obituary published in Great Falls Tribune on June 3, 2012
Bob was born March 12, 1932, in Shelby to Donald F. and Jennie C. (Hebbard) Hellinger. Bob grew up on the farm north of Devon, attending schools in Devon and graduating from Shelby High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and after spending four years in the service, he decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life farming. In 1957, he and his brother Dean formed the Hellinger Bros. Farm, which they operated for 41 years. When he retired, he and Dean leased the farm to the next generation of Hellinger Bros.
In 1959, Bob married Marie Dounley, the love of his life. They had two sons; a grandson; and granddaughter.
Bob owned and flew his own airplanes for over 53 years. He had received the Wright Bros. Master Pilot award in 2009 for 50 years of safe flying. Over the years, Bob gave a countless number of young people their first airplane ride, encouraging each of them to become interested in aviation.
Bob was president of the Devon Farmers Union Local, the Devon Farmers Union Oil Co., Secretary of the Toole County National Farmers' Organization, served on the Toole County Airport Board and as Toole County's representative on the Highway 2 Association. He was also secretary of the Galata County Water District for 16 years.
Bob was a proud supporter of all of the Shelby Coyote teams over the years, and so enjoyed all of his many friends. He was an avid golfer who got a hole in one in 2007 on the Marias Valley Golf Course.
Donald is survived by his wife; two sons; brother and his wife; his two grandkids; and many cousins.
Complete obituary published in Great Falls Tribune on June 3, 2012
Donald Robert "Bob" Hellinger, 80, of Devon, a long-time farmer and pilot, died of natural causes Thursday, May 31, at his farm.
Bob was born March 12, 1932, in Shelby to Donald F. and Jennie C. (Hebbard) Hellinger. Bob grew up on the farm north of Devon, attending schools in Devon and graduating from Shelby High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and after spending four years in the service, he decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life farming. In 1957, he and his brother Dean formed the Hellinger Bros. Farm, which they operated for 41 years. When he retired, he and Dean leased the farm to the next generation of Hellinger Bros.
In 1959, Bob married Marie Dounley, the love of his life. They had two sons; a grandson; and granddaughter.
Bob owned and flew his own airplanes for over 53 years. He had received the Wright Bros. Master Pilot award in 2009 for 50 years of safe flying. Over the years, Bob gave a countless number of young people their first airplane ride, encouraging each of them to become interested in aviation.
Bob was president of the Devon Farmers Union Local, the Devon Farmers Union Oil Co., Secretary of the Toole County National Farmers' Organization, served on the Toole County Airport Board and as Toole County's representative on the Highway 2 Association. He was also secretary of the Galata County Water District for 16 years.
Bob was a proud supporter of all of the Shelby Coyote teams over the years, and so enjoyed all of his many friends. He was an avid golfer who got a hole in one in 2007 on the Marias Valley Golf Course.
Donald is survived by his wife; two sons; brother and his wife; his two grandkids; and many cousins.
Complete obituary published in Great Falls Tribune on June 3, 2012
Bob was born March 12, 1932, in Shelby to Donald F. and Jennie C. (Hebbard) Hellinger. Bob grew up on the farm north of Devon, attending schools in Devon and graduating from Shelby High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and after spending four years in the service, he decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life farming. In 1957, he and his brother Dean formed the Hellinger Bros. Farm, which they operated for 41 years. When he retired, he and Dean leased the farm to the next generation of Hellinger Bros.
In 1959, Bob married Marie Dounley, the love of his life. They had two sons; a grandson; and granddaughter.
Bob owned and flew his own airplanes for over 53 years. He had received the Wright Bros. Master Pilot award in 2009 for 50 years of safe flying. Over the years, Bob gave a countless number of young people their first airplane ride, encouraging each of them to become interested in aviation.
Bob was president of the Devon Farmers Union Local, the Devon Farmers Union Oil Co., Secretary of the Toole County National Farmers' Organization, served on the Toole County Airport Board and as Toole County's representative on the Highway 2 Association. He was also secretary of the Galata County Water District for 16 years.
Bob was a proud supporter of all of the Shelby Coyote teams over the years, and so enjoyed all of his many friends. He was an avid golfer who got a hole in one in 2007 on the Marias Valley Golf Course.
Donald is survived by his wife; two sons; brother and his wife; his two grandkids; and many cousins.
Complete obituary published in Great Falls Tribune on June 3, 2012
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