An incredible husband, father, friend, and community member, Robert (Bob) James Moretti, 74, of Great Falls, Montana, passed away on July 29, 2022, surrounded by his family at Benefis Peace Hospice House. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2021.
Bob was born in Niagara Falls, New York, on December 27, 1947, to Mathew Moretti and Doris Gross Moretti. He and his five siblings lost their mother at a young age, with the eldest sister, Marie, stepping in to help raise her younger siblings. They didn't have much growing up, but they had each other.
Bob always knew he wanted to go to college and that the G.I. Bill would be his best bet for getting there, so in 1967, he enlisted in the Navy. He served nearly four years as a U.S. Navy licensed air traffic controller, spending time in Cuba during the Vietnam War.
It was when Bob was stationed at Naval Air Station Brunswick in Maine that he met the love of his life, Muriel. He was bartending at a local bar; she was testing out her new fake ID. As he went on to serve in Cuba, they kept in faithful touch with each other before getting married in 1971.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Bob began what would become a life dedicated to education and learning, starting by studying civil engineering at State University of New York at Buffalo and earning his bachelor's degree in 1975. He would then go on to receive a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, in 1978.
While earning his MBA, he began what would become a long, loyal, and award-winning career working as a civilian for the United States Air Force. With stints in Maine, New York, Nebraska, and Massachusetts, he ultimately spent the final 25 years of his career at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, serving as the Deputy Base Civil Engineer before becoming the Chief of Environmental Management.
In his relentless pursuit of education, Bob earned his Doctor of Education from Montana State University in 1994. From there, Dr. Bob would go on to teach courses in business, information technology, and math through the University of Phoenix, Western International University, Park University, and the University of Great Falls.
Most important in Bob's life were the years he spent volunteering and helping others. Truly, the list of his community service achievements would take longer to read than watching his beloved New York Yankees play a doubleheader, so here are some notable highlights: Bob served as the chair of the Giant Springs Heritage State Park Commission, helping secure valued parcels of land from the Montana Power Company in 1990. In 1998 while he was chairperson of the American Red Cross Big Sky Chapter, Bob was named the American Red Cross National Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year. Between 2011-2017, Bob was elected and served two three-year terms as a Great Falls Public Schools Trustee. He also spent seven years volunteering for the Great Falls Police Department, ultimately being named the State of Montana Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service Trainer of the Year in 2017. Most recently, Bob served as chair on the National Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, helping the IRS improve its programs and procedures.
Leading up to the pandemic, Bob spent a few years as an Uber driver. But, of course, he was no ordinary Uber driver. Once when driving a blind woman to the airport, instead of simply dropping her off, he took her inside to ensure she got on the plane without issue. Another time, he was giving a man a ride who was new in town, so Bob turned off Uber and drove the man around Great Falls to help him find an apartment. If you were lucky enough to get Bob as your Uber driver, you weren't just getting a ride, you were getting a helping hand.
Bob was an incredibly active man throughout his life, both civically and physically. In his early 20s, he began playing hockey, which he continued to do in Great Falls until the age of 59, playing for both the Great Falls Silver Foxes and the Great Falls Selects. He enjoyed traveling to play against teams in Canada, and he used his defensive skills to help win both silver and gold medals in the Montana Senior Olympics.
While working at Malmstrom AFB, Bob would spend his lunch hours playing basketball. Ever the sports fan, he was also a nationally certified youth sports coach, working extensively with youth baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, and soccer programs.
If dad jokes were a sport, Bob would have been champion of the world. Humor was a huge part of Bob's life. From telling jokes to enjoying his favorite sitcoms, Bob was always good for a laugh. He was a very happy and grateful man, as made evident by his kindness, generosity, and unmatched selflessness.
Bob was an attentive, supportive, and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and he will be deeply missed. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Muriel; his son, Tony Moretti, and wife, Heidi DeBoo Moretti (Missoula); daughter, Angie Moretti (Missoula); grandchildren, Dante and Josie Moretti (Missoula); and his siblings, Marie Moretti, Dave Moretti, Louie Moretti, and Debbie Moretti Hunt (Las Vegas).
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Mathew and Doris Moretti, as well as his brother Ronald Moretti.
In true Bob Moretti fashion, he has donated his body to the WWAMI Medical Education Program at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Through this donation, he continues to support education, having proudly declared that he will be a "Bobcat forever."
In lieu of a service or donations, the family asks that you honor Bob's steadfast dedication to education and volunteering by enriching your own life and the lives of those around you. Learn something new. Help out a neighbor. Tell some jokes. And most importantly, always be kind.
