Robert E. Pontet

Robert “Bob” Pontet, 82, of Belt, passed away from natural causes in the company of his wife, Patricia, of 60 years, and four daughters on Monday, April 27, 2020, at Peace Hospice. A private family service (due to COVID-19) will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at O’Connor Memorial Chapel followed by a private burial service in Belt. Bob was born on June 16, 1937, at the Columbus Hospital in Great Falls, MT and raised in Highwood. Bob joined the Army in 1956 and during his time in the service in Alaska, he mastered the skill of boxing, which he proudly taught his daughters. After his honorable discharge from the service, Bob met the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Tibbles, at a spring barn dance in Loma, MT. They married on August 22, 1959.Their oldest daughter, Shellie, was born in Great Falls in 1960. Two years later their second daughter, Jenny was born in Cheyenne, WY. Soon thereafter, the Pontet family of four made their way to Anchorage, AK, where Bob honed his carpentry skills rebuilding after the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.Alaska was a good fit for Bob, a man’s man, hardworking, hunter, with a pioneer spirit, met “The One” he would devote the rest of his life to, his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.He traveled to Bethel, Fairbanks, Tetlin, and Athabascan Village in Northway, which became routes in the summer to evangelize the natives.Some of his cherished works of service included repairing and building houses of worship, the Pentecostal Holiness churches in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and many years later, the Belt Community Church. In 1969, Bob and Pat were foundational supporters of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, which to this day they continue to support. Over a decade later, the mountains of Montana called him home. He packed up his growing family with the addition of another daughter, Shawn Marie, and the Pontet’s arrived in Belt, MT, April 1975, to ranch the family Penn place. In 1979, their fourth daughter, Kristy Ann, was born in Great Falls, MT.A man who wanted boys was blessed with four vivacious daughters whom he taught the value of a strong work ethic, integrity, and love for God and Country. Bob worked for Cal and Elaine McCafferty for a few years before leaving for Big Timber, MT, to pastor a church for five years. An ordained minister in the Church of God, Bob loved to teach The Word, which he did through many churches/ministries. All the while, he cowboyed and worked construction throughout Montana.We all still enjoy pointing out the many sites that dad/grandpa built. Always serving his community, Bob was a Chaplain for Sweetgrass County, and although he retired from Cascade Electric at 73, he never retired from serving God, becoming a chaplain for Benefis West Hospital. As part of his ministry, Bob, with his wife, Pat, placed the many couples he counseled and married on their prayer list, which we are certain is why, to this date, none have divorced. Bob enjoyed supporting his children, grandchildren, and community athletes at local sporting events. Assuredly, he was the loudest fan and sometimes ejected because of his “enthusiasm.”Bob also enjoyed cowboying. Wherever a rider was needed, he volunteered.Always good for a clean joke, most of his sermons began with one, and many were told to just get a reaction out of Patricia. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert W. Pontet Sr and Gladys (Penn) Pontet; step-mom, Rose Pontet; and grandson, Chase Urick.Bob is survived by his wife Patricia; daughters, Shellie Pontet, Jenny (Ronald) Gondeiro, Shawn Marie (Michael) Aiken and Kristy (Chad) Stroop; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren. The Father called Bob home for all eternity where he would hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant"at 12.22 p.m. 22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.Hebrews 12:22-24