Robert John Wren

Robert J. Wren passed away peacefully on August 3, 2022, at his home in Anaconda, Montana.

He was born on September 29, 1938, near Browning, Montana on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.  He lived in a single room house along the Milk River, where they used a hand dug water well, had no electricity, used an outhouse, and raised sheep.  His Mother, Ella Kihn, was a daughter of a German family, and his Father was from a Blackfeet Indian family.  As a young boy, he attended an Indian boarding school, about which he simply said that it was one of the most difficult times of his life.

His remarkable life story is retold in the book, ‘Faith Under Fire’.

In 1956, after moving to Hamilton, Montana, he met and married his lifelong sweetheart, Barbara E. Callender.  They had four Sons, Michael, Robert, Joe and Troy.  In order to earn a living for his young family, he joined the U.S. Army where he served in multiple locations, including Korea, Vietnam, and other zones of conflict.  In 1962, he earned the right to wear the Green Beret as a member of the 5th Special Forces (Airborne) and became a Master Parachutist.  In 1964, he was hand selected for an elite group known as Project Delta.  He served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam, where he was awarded two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars for Valor, and was wounded in action four times.  He paid a high price, and suffered much, for his military service. 

Ultimately, however, he found peace as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He was valiant in his testimony of our Lord and Savior.  He and his Eternal Companion, Barbara, served as Missionaries in Paris, France, and they served as ordinance workers in both the Los Angeles and Billings Montana Temples. He also served as a counselor in two Bishoprics. 

Robert is preceded in death by his father, William Lloyd Wren, his mother, Ella K. Galbreath, and his three brothers, William, Jerry and Kin Jay.

Robert was a fantastic and beloved Grandpa to a large posterity, to whom he was a fun and honored hero.  He is survived by his dear wife, Barbara, their four sons, Michael (Sharon), Robert (Lorene), Joe (Nancy), Troy (Anya), and by 14 grandsons, 9 granddaughters, 20 great-grandsons, 27 great-granddaughters, and one great-great-granddaughter.  He was always grateful that he knew and loved each of them.

His funeral will be held in the Anaconda Ward Chapel located at 1300 W. Park in Anaconda, Montana.  A visitation is scheduled for 9 am on August 13, 2022, to be followed by a funeral service at 10 am, and burial will follow at the New Hill Cemetery on Stumptown Road just west of Anaconda.