Thomas Richard Wrobel, 78, passed away January 15, 2019, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born April 23, 1940, in Great Falls to Joseph Paul Wrobel and Marguerite Kathleen Smith. He was the second child and only son.
Tom grew up in Great Falls where he first developed his love of motorcycles. After the death of his mother, Rob Slack was his mentor and father figure. In 1957, Tom joined the Navy and began a long career of service to his country.
In 1959, he married the love of his life, Linda Borsheim, in Fort Benton, Montana. They have been married for nearly 60 years. Tom and Linda have three sons: Robert Thomas, Richard Paul and Randall Mark.
During his Navy career, he was stationed at Chula Vista, Oxnard, Point Mugo, Alameda, Long Beach and San Diego, California; Midway Island, and Bremerton, Washington. From the time his boys could walk, they rode bikes, and Tom spent endless hours with them, teaching them to ride and take care of bikes. The boys all raced bikes throughout California.
Whenever he had a free day, he was on his bike. He and a group of friends rode their motorcycles to the Arctic Circle/Purdue Bay in 2016. Tom’s love of flying had no bounds.
He flew for the Navy and also built his own planes which he enjoyed flying. He was working on a new plane at the time of his passing. After retiring from the Navy on December 7, 1976, he and his family returned to Montana and purchased land near Cascade where they have lived since.
Tom loved animals— from his special dogs to the black bear and deer that inhabited his yard. He worked for Slack Cycle Sales, Spartan Cycle Sales as Service Manager, the Dana Ranch in Cascade for over 25 years, and in 2009 was hired as the Chief Quality Inspector PAE and the following year promoted to Site Manager in the support of the Department of Homeland Security AOS. He retired from this position just last September at the age of 78.
During his career, Tom received many awards including the Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award in 2008. He was awarded General Aviation AMT of the Year for the State of Montana in 2015. He was a member and served as president of the EAA Chapter 1141, and received numerous Chapter Service Awards.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty Jeane, and a grandson, Justin Wrobel. He is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Rob Wrobel of Destin, Florida; son, Rich (Terra)Wrobel of Billings, Montana; son, Randy (Faye) Wrobel of Cascade, Montana; 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; his sisters, Darlene (Bob) Harcharik of Great Falls; Jo Anne (Terry) Kay of Tetonia, Idaho; and Margaret (Claudon) Lilya of Blackfoot, Idaho. His door was always open, his way was true and forthright.
He was a great friend…an indomitable spirit. (Tom Mabrey) He was one of the finest aircraft mechanics, shop managers and friends that this world has ever known. (Jeff Birks) The family is planning a memorial service in June.
In lieu of flowers, they suggestion a donation to Helena College Aviation Maintenance Technology, 1115 North Roberts Street, Helena, Montana.
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