William "Doc" Elbert

Our Dad, William "Doc" Moyer Elbert passed away on March 28, 2020 in Spokane, WA. He was born in Miles City, MT to Herman and Phoebe Gerhard Elbert on May 3, 1923. He was a scrappy child, spending most hours outside fishing, hunting and playing baseball. Bill was a loyal and kind friend forming lifelong friendships with many of his classmates. Immediately upon graduating from Custer County High School in 1940, Bill was drafted by the Cordele Reds baseball team (farm club team for the Cincinnati Reds). He pitched in the minor leagues in Cordele, Concord, Greensboro, Scranton, Louisville, Kansas City, Portland and San Antonio until enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943 serving as a Mitchell B-25 flight instructor with the 2109th Squadron stationed in Greenville, SC. After WWII, he resumed his baseball career and was invited to Spring training for the 1948 season with the Boston Red Sox. His baseball career with Boston ended due to an injury to his throwing arm. Bill met Beverly Jean Richey in November, 1948 having asked her to dance after noticing her beautiful auburn hair, and they were married on October 5, 1951 in Miles City, MT. They set off for Caracas, Venezuela where Bill played winter baseball and then returned to San Antonio, TX. As his baseball career wound down, Bill enrolled in Northwestern Chiropractic College in Minneapolis, graduating in 1957. Bill and Bev settled in Anaconda and Doc established his chiropractic practice. Bill was well respected in the chiropractic community, was a member of the American Chiropractic Association, a past President of the Montana Chiropractic Association, was appointed to the Montana State Chiropractic Board of Examiners and was selected as the 1980 Montana Chiropractor of the Year. As an enthusiastic athlete and outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed a good hunt, the elusive big fish, and the challenge of the golf course. He lived life honestly and completely, and was a wonderful example to many. Dad was a true husband and encouraging, thoughtful father. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 67 years Beverly, his sister Myra Sollars, niece Sally Neumiller and granddaughter Tifanee Elbert. He is survived by his son Jim, daughter Jean and her husband Michael Bolkovatz, sister Patricia Magnuson and numerous nieces and nephews. His grandchildren are Skye Mize, Austin Elbert and Lauren Bolkovatz. Savannah Rein Mize and Ava Gigac are his great grandchildren. Thank you to the Anaconda Pintler Hospice and Hospice of Spokane for their professional and compassionate care of our Dad and support of our family, we are grateful. Memorial donations may be directed to Anaconda Legion Baseball, Anaconda Pintler Hospice or Hospice of Spokane. Funeral and burial service announcements will be published at a later date. Please direct all correspondence to: Jean Bolkovatz c/o Longfellow-Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home at 107 Oak St., Anaconda, MT 59711.