Robert Wesley Maehl

Robert Wesley Maehl died peacefully Thursday, November 4, of natural causes. Robert was born to Edith Hansen Maehl and Carl Maehl at his family home in Philipsburg on November 21, 1942. He joined an older brother and sister, Carl Jr. and Lois and was years later join by another sister, Edie. The Maehl’s had a large extended family in Philipsburg. Robert attended school and graduated there where he excelled in sports. Robert was very proud to have played in the East-West Shrine football game in 1961. He was a true sports fan to the very end! The Tuesday before his death he was exhausted and not looking too well. It was suggested that maybe going to bed early and getting a good night’s sleep would be good for him. His response was, “The final game of the World Series is on tonight! I am going to sit right in that chair and watch every minute!”

Robert attended MSU and then enlisted in the US Army, stationed in Germany. After his military service he moved to Anaconda and got a job at the BA&P. He spent most of his career there. He also worked at the Montana Power for several years before he retired.

His first marriage was to Judy Pinkham and together they had a daughter and son, Jeff and Stacie. Robert was very proud of the man and woman that Jeff and Stacie have become and the good life choices they have made.  He later married Joyce Kalan and suddenly was father to 2 grown daughters and a grandson. A second grandson was born a couple months after later. Without knowing Robert’s middle name, the new grandson was named Wesley.  While it may not have been intentional, Wesley’s name has now become a tribute to the best Grampa any lucky kid could have. Robert was not a blood relation to the Kalan/Green side of the family, but his grandkids could not have loved him more. He was ALWAYS there for them, no matter what. We have wonderful memories of camping and fishing, weekends at the family cabin, 4 wheeling and going into mountain lakes. Stacie and Jeff would come every summer to be part of the family fun. He was the best Grampa his “step-daughters” could have hoped for, for their boys. And while he did not get to spend as much time with Jeff’s 3 children, he bragged and told everyone how smart they were. He would have loved them to be nearer so he could spoil them more!

Along with sports and grandkids, Robert loved the outdoors and the Montana way of life! He also enjoyed shooting and hunting. He was a member of the Anaconda Gun Club for years and a long-time member and caretaker of the Anaconda Trap Club.

Robert is preceded in death by his mother and father, Carl and Edith Maehl, and his brother Carl who just passed last month. He is survived by his children Stacie Bleile (Mike Riley), Jeff (Sabina) Bleile, stepdaughters, Tonya Lescantz, Cindie Kalan-Green, sisters Lois (Tom) Lowe, Edie (Matt) Roberts, sister-in-law, Karen Maehl, Grandchildren; Addison, Brendan & Bryce Bleile, Chad Green, Wesley Green, Ethan (Kellie) Green, great-grandchildren, Lyndsey (Joe) Stulc, Gavinn Green, Kroy Green and great-great-grandson Fletcher Stulc, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

At Robert’s Request there will be no service held. A celebration of his life for family and friends will occur next summer.