A long life well lived. People can certainly say that about the life of Robert Lyle Hecht, age 97. It is with great sadness that we report the passing of this great man. He possessed traits admirable to the people whose lives he touched. He was the kindest, humblest, and hardest working man anyone would ever meet. Even into his elder years, his sense of humor and widespread love remained instilled in him. His life journey wasn’t always easy, but he managed to make it great.
Bob passed away January 15, 2021 of natural causes in Forsyth, Montana. He was born on August 16, 1923, in Washburn, North Dakota to Sadie (Chestworth) and Ernest Frederick Hecht. He had two sisters, Betty Weber and Beverly Glover. His dads job brought the family to Miles City when Bob was five years old. In the fifth grade, he started working for his uncle Sparky in a Miles City electrical shop rewinding motors. Bob graduated from Custer County High School in 1942 and at that time he had worked enough hours to be classified as an electrical journeyman, however the state of Montana would not recognize this due to his age as a union electrician. So, after he graduated, he went to Cody, Wyoming and worked on the Heart Mountain War internment camps. He stayed there for a year and then he relocated to the Seattle area to be near his sister Beverly who was attending nursing school at the request of his mother, who didn’t want her daughter to be in the city by herself. While in Seattle Bob worked wiring the piers for the war ships. He worked there until 1943 at which time he enlisted in the Air Force and was trained as a crew chief. After his Honorable Discharge from the military, he returned to Miles City for a short time before moving to Forsyth. In Forsyth, he was part owner of Weber’s Electric. After his time at Weber’s Electric, his electrical career took him between Colstrip and Vananda driving between the two mines daily making sure that they were able to start their operations on time and repeat the same process at the end of the day. At the age of 46, Bob went to work for Peabody Coal until his retirement at the age of 71. After that he started Bob’s Electric and worked around Rosebud County until he was 90 years old. Bob moved to Colstrip in 1978 and approximately 10 years ago, he moved to Miles City.
Bob held a Montana electrical license until July 2018. His master license number was 150. He was a member of the Masons for 50 years, the Elks Club, Forsyth City Council and donated his time and materials to the Rosebud County Fair from 1947 through 2010. Bob also served on the Forsyth Public School Board for 17 years, giving diplomas to all five of his children, which was an important milestone and accomplishment for him as he valued a good education. Bob was married to Dolores Catherine (Helm) Hecht for 33 years and they had five children, Robert, (Mary), Catherine (Butch), Donald (Michelle) Ronald (Jeanne), and Lynnae (Jim). Family was very important in his life and his legacy lives on through his 5 children, 15 grandchildren: Shawna, Micah, Tarun, Navaneeta, Kanyon, Brandel, Courtney, Morgan, Banner, Sunni, Chelsea, Shelby, Kramer, Jennifer and Christopher. and 8 great grandchildren.
At this time there are no services planned. If you would like to make a donation in Bobs name, please send them to the Rosebud County Search and Rescue (201 North 8th Ave. Forsyth, MT 59327), an organization that Bob highly respected for all they do.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home have been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website at www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Mark Peterson says
To all of Bob’s family…my condolences on your loss. I know you have many good memories of him. It’s always hard to say goodbye, even when it is a “long life well lived.” Mark Peterson, FHS ’74
Lane Larson says
My condolences to the family. Bob was a union brother out of IBEW LU 653, Miles City Montana. Not many left, he was always around and his work ethic was legendary. Gave me great advice whenever I might needed it.
My mother had him change a yard light that was on a pole in the back yard and he usually did work for her and seem to forget to bill for it. she called me to figure out how much the job should cost. I thought is should be X amount. when he completed the work, she tried to give him the amount, telling Bob that Lane thought it should cost this much. He looked at her and said, “tell Lane to mind his own business”. I don’t believe she ever did get a bill. After that I minded my own business.
What a great guy.
Cheryl Rainey Yasuda says
Cathe, Lynn and the entire Hecht family,
What a wonderful legacy he has given his family! May the sweet memories you hold near and dear sustain you in the sorrow of his passing. You are loved!
Kurt Seward says
My heart is with the family. Bob was one of the nicest people I had ever known. I always enjoyed visiting with him and the story he would tell. He will be missed by all. RIP Bob
Norma Rangel Wegmann says
Very nice man. He taught my uncle Mario how be a electrician when he worked at Webers electic/ He will be missed by all that knew him. Condolences to his family.
Jessie says
Jim and I would like you to know that our thoughts are with you now during this time of loss. It is never easy to say goodbye even though your dad had a long and useful life. Hugs to you all.
MARTHA CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Leota and Mike Pilon says
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad, Ron. We didn’t know him but he certainly raised a fine son! Prayers for the repose of his soul and for all the family. I’m sure you have many wonderful memories.
Bill Crosby says
So sorry for your loss.
Peggy says
He was a very nice man sorry for your loss
Terri Hein says
We loved Bob! He was always so nice and kind and he worked so hard! Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Scott and Terri Hein
Laura, Carson and Lindsey
Jim & Julie DeMars says
Love and prayers for comfort and peace to all of the Hechts. We did not have the pleasure of knowing Bob, but he sure raised some fine people!
Rest In Peace Bob.
Karen Huckins says
So sorry about your dad Cathe, Butch, Kanyon & Brandel.
Karen & Gary
Carol Ferguson Moore says
To the entire Hecht family,
Bob was a very well respected gentleman. He would come into the Speedway and have coffee with Stan Watson occasionally. I truly enjoyed him . What a lose but he left behind a wonderful legacy. My prayers are with you all.
ira gresens says
One of the few truly great people
Dave and Donna Lloyd says
With heart-felt sympathy for your loss. Bob was a man I liked very much and had great respect for. He lived his life well and was a man to admire. The world would be a far better place if there were more men in it with his intelligence, common sense and integrity. Sadly, it’s more of a rarity.
Beverly and Jack Nile says
Our sincere sympathy to all of Bob’s family, a truly genuine man and one of a kind, his legacy will live on.
Sharon and Duane Wetsch says
Our sympathies to all of Bob’s family. He was truly one of a kind. He could fix anything electrical!! He had lots of stories!! He will be missed..
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
Condolences and Prayers to of the Hecht Family Don is the one we knew May you find comfort In your memories and in Gods Love
Terry Schievelbein says
I have never met a man that worked HARDER OR LONGER. The ELECTRICIAN as Ron always called him can finally Rest!
Barb Seibert says
Cathy i am so sorry about your Dad. I just found out yesterday. I am just so sorry. Thinking of you and your family.
Kay and Rocky Berdahl says
To all Bob’s family,
Sorry for your loss! Thinking of all you at this sad time.
BRENDA LITTLE says
Dearest Cathe and family, so so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all 💞
Dee Batey says
A great man and fine gentleman. RIP my friend.
Terri L. Coldwell says
Don and family. I am sorry to hear of your dad. Please find peace and hold the good memories in your heart.
Nancy Pasha says
I was so sad when I heard of Bob’s passing. He was a wonderful, kind man. He and my husband were great friends and after Pee Wee passed away I put a doublewide and shop on my daughter’s place. Bob did the wiring for me and I never could get him to tell me what I owed him. He certainly was a generous man. He always stopped to visit when he would see me . My heart holds great memories of Bob. We need more great men like him in this world. RIP Bob!