Robert Leroy LaSalle, age 80, passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at his residence.

Robert was born on December 2, 1935 in Havre, Montana to William "Bill" and Mabel (Wallace) LaSalle. He was the fifth of seven children. He was raised in the Bear Paw Mountains, and attended school in Havre. Robert graduated from Havre High School in 1954. He spent one semester at Northern Montana College before he enlisted in the United States Army, serving until his honorable discharge in 1958. Robert then returned to Northern Montana College to study civil engineering. In 1960, Robert married Jenny Billy in Havre, and the couple made their home in Rocky Boy where they raised their six children.

For many years, Robert worked as a heavy equipment operator for Baltrusch Construction. Robert continued to enjoy operating heavy equipment throughout his lifetime, and he became well known for developing springs in Hill County and the surrounding area. In 1968, Robert and Jenny put the first hooves on the ground and worked to develop what is now LaSalle Ranch. From the onset, Robert and Jenny made it part of their every day mission to be good stewards of the land. That same sense of stewardship was instilled in their children and their grandchildren.

To classify Robert as a hard worker would be an understatement. He took great pride in working hard for his family, for his employer and for the land. Robert had an enthusiastic yet humble approach to life and those he met were always greeted with a smile.

Robert was known to many as "Dad" and to even more as "Grandpa." His family was much larger than that which sat around the dining room table each evening. Robert was his grandkids' greatest supporter, and he loved watching his grandchildren in school activities, sports and into their professional careers. He was proud of each and every one of them.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mabel LaSalle; his sisters, Vi Crossen, Lorraine Ervin, Joann Brown, and Shirley LaSalle; and his brothers, Richard and Jim LaSalle.

He is survived by Jenny LaSalle, his beloved wife of 56 years, of Rocky Boy; his daughter Marlene (Ron) Walker of Albuquerque, New Mexico; his sons Robert (Susie) LaSalle, Leon (Shannon) LaSalle, Logan (Louann) LaSalle, Merlin LaSalle and Mike LaMere, all of Rocky Boy; his 14 grandchildren; his 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.