Robert J. “Bobby Joe” Grandchamp Sr., age 63, of Poplar, MT passed away December 6, 2009 in Wolf Point, MT.
Bobby Joe was born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Johnson) Grandchamp at his home in Glasgow, MT on April 23, 1946. His birth did not get registered until the next day so he celebrated his birthday on April 24. He was the third of ten children and was always the rock in his family.
Bob was known by family as a Jack-of-all-trades. There was nothing he couldn’t or wouldn’t do for his family and friends. At the age of 12 he went to live with his grandparents in Frazer, MT where he got his first job as a farmhand to help his grandparents out.
At the age of 17 years he joined the U.S. Army as an engineer mechanic. He was stationed in Germany and France from 1963 – 1966. Upon his return he found the love of his life, Iris Beauchamp, and they were married on June 3, 1968. They were married for 32 years until her passing. To this union three children were born.
During their years together he was employed as a fireman, driver operator for AVCO in Glasgow. He worked at Tommy’s Standard in Glasgow as a shop foreman, mechanic, Ambulance driver and wrecker operator. The family then moved to Thermopolis, WY where Bob worked for Sandford Ranch doing many jobs from fencing, building, feeding cattle, anything that needed to be done he did with no questions asked. In 1981 he moved his family back to Glasgow and for the next seven years he found himself employed with Tom Rodgers. Bob then decided he would go back to school, so he and his best friend, Roger St. Germaine, enrolled in Poplar at Fort Peck Community College to do carpentry. Upon completion he took a job at A & S Industries working in various positions at the plant. He heard they were going to construct a new building which became the JDC and after completion of the building he applied through the BIA for the Cook’s position and was employed as a cook for 17 years. His “McBob” breakfast sandwiches and cinnamon rolls will be greatly missed by many.
Bob’s most treasured moments were spent hunting, fishing, and bowling with his children and son-in-law.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Elizabeth; three sisters Baby Helen, Elizabeth “Baby Jean” Jackson and Julia (Grandchamp) White; nephew James “Jimmy” White; his loving wife Iris Beauchamp Grandchamp; and his only son Robert J. Grandchamp Jr.
Bob is survived by two daughters, Corina (Paul) Smith and Angie(Curtis) Grandchamp, both of Wolf Point; nine grandchildren, Taurean, Miya, Maverick, Reagen Smith and Darian Cantrel (his bubby) all of Wolf Point, Brittney, June, Ryan and Robert J. Grandchamp III all of Glasgow; great-granddaughter Amerah Jai Smith of the family home; four sisters, Sandrea (Grandchamp) Lonebear of Glasgow, Carol Seinknecht of Kalispell, MT, Cheryl Lee Packineau and Tina Freese of Wolf Point; two brothers Nelson G. Grandchamp of Wolf Point and Melvin “Benny” Grandchamp of Glasgow; many nieces and nephews; and all his life long friends and cousins too numerous to mention.
Visitation will begin 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 11, 2009 at Oswego Community Hall. Funeral Service is 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Oswego Community Hall. Interment will follow at Oswego Presbyterian Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
(Robert Grandchamp Sr.)
Pallbearers Honorary Pallbearers
Angie Grandchamp Roger St. Germaine
Corina Smith John N. Grandchamp
Taurean J. Grandchamp Lloyd Mullens
Miya Smith James Cox
Reagen Smith Doug Hammons
Paul Smith Joe Hartry
Maverick Smith And all his longtime friends and family
Larry Beauchamp
Daniel Hammons