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Obituary - Dr. Robert William Rector, DMD

Dr. Robert William Rector, DMD, died Sept. 28, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona, due to complications of a ruptured appendix on Aug. 16. He fought valiantly through five surgeries, with his wife and daughters at his side.

Bob was born Feb. 5, 1939, in Bozeman, Montana, to Russell L. and Esther Seifert Rector.

Bob attended public schools in Belgrade, participating in all sports including football, track and field, basketball and baseball. In 1956, his junior year, his team, the Belgrade Panthers celebrated their first title Montana Class C Boys Basketball State Championship. In addition, he was on an All-Star baseball team. He loved hunting, fishing and golfing.

After graduating from Belgrade High School with honors, Bob attended Montana State College in Bozeman. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and selected into the MSC Fang honor society. He was a lifelong Bobcat supporter and Bobcat Century Club booster. Upon graduation from Montana State College, Bob chose to attend dental school in Portland at the University of Oregon.

Bob married Diana Lee Vickrey at the Presbyterian Church in Bozeman June 19, 1960. They had two daughters, Sheryl Reneé and Michelle Suzanne.

When he graduated from dental school, he moved to Havre. He was a lifelong Presbyterian, avid golfer, joined bowling leagues, played softball at Sixth Avenue Complex, on the Ski Patrol at Bears Paw Ski Hill, a member of Ducks Unlimited and donated to numerous fund-raising activities supporting Hill County and many others. 

Bob believed in and actively participated in numerous philanthropic causes. He was a long-time member of many organizations. Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, and Potentate of Algeria Shriners, and his hands were cast for the Shriner statue holding a child which is still on display at the Shriners children's hospital in Spokane, Washington. He also participated and played in the Oriental Band, was a past Exalted Ruler at the Elks Havre Lodge. He was a charter member of the Havre Optimist Club, Eagles member and was appointed to the Montana State Board of Regents.

Dr. Rector practiced dentistry for 40 years in Havre. He served on the Montana State Board of Dental Examiners. He truly enjoyed his work, staff and patients.

Bob and Diana spent many years at their place on Whitefish Lake while his daughters were growing up. Bob also was a licensed pilot.

  After retiring, Bob and Diana moved to Gold Canyon, Arizoana. They loved to travel and went numerous times to all seven continents, except Antarctica, where they only went once.

Dr. Rector was preceded in death by his parents, Russell L. and Esther Rector and sister, Marlene Rector.

He is survived by his wife, Diana L. Rector; daughters, Sheryl (Pete) Peck and Michelle (Shawn) Cole; grandchildren, Courtney Peck, Trevor (Alex) Peck, Skyler, Cerissa and Camber Cole; great-grandchildren, Tucker and Tayden Peck; sister-in-Law, Vickie (Jim) McMilin; nieces, Carol (Pete) Rising and family, Heather (Jenn) McMilin; nephews, Dean (Gina) Welch and family and Ross McMilin.

A gathering for family and friends will be held at the Elks Lodge in Havre beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. Graveside services will be Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman, followed by a gathering at the Bozeman Comfort Inn.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. http://www.dokkennelson.com.

 

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