Obituary for Robert DoBell

Robert J. DoBell Jr. was 70 years old and passed away peacefully at his home in Bonner on Dec. 19, 2017 due to a fight with cancer.

Robert was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 8, 1947.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Robert J. DoBell Sr. and Helen Currier DoBell and Robert’s sister Helen R. DoBell passed away in March of 2017.

Robert graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico with a degree in Physical Education. Robert loved all that Montana had to offer, loved living on the Blackfoot River, was an avid NASCAR, and Indy race car fan, and loved attending home Grizzly football games. Robert’s family was very important to him and he always lived life making the right decisions rooted in a solid foundation, even if at times the right decision was unpopular.

Robert grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he graduated from Highland High School in 1967. During his youth he was a competitive swimmer and loved all team sports. Robert was an expert marksman and earned numerous medals for his marksmanship. Moreover, Robert loved students and worked at Montezuma Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico as the schools physical education teacher. During his tenure at Montezuma the P.E. program prospered and he held monthly “Movie Nights” and “Jog a Thons” for students as a fundraiser for P.E. equipment for the classroom. The movie nights back then were shown in reel to reel format and a fully stocked concession stand provided an additional revenue source for equipment. Eventually Robert left his post at Montezuma and moved on to work for The University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque as the Associate Athletic Director in charge of all Extra-Curricular Athletic Campus facilities, game management, concessions, concerts, and other special events that came to “The Pit” and “University Stadium”. Robert hosted many regional NCAA final four divisional tournaments, The Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow, and all of the New Mexico High School Associations post season play for boys and girls basketball for all classifications. Robert spent twelve years at Montezuma and thirteen years at UNM. In all, the Athletic Department at The University of New Mexico was a better place because of the dedication, integrity, and attention to detail that Robert maintained during his tenure.

Robert is survived by his children Robert Douglas DoBell, Genevieve Cathleen DoBell-Siewell, her husband Jesse Siewell, and their two children Hunter and Douglas.

Garden City Funeral Home, in Missoula will be coordinating the cremation of remains. A grave side service will be arranged for family and friends in July of 2018, and will be held at the Old St. Mary’s cemetery in Missoula.