Robert "Bob" Butorovich

On Monday, August 17, 2020, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, retired Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Robert “Bob” Butorovich (a.k.a. Beef, Bonner, and Poppy) took his last ride in “Car 1.” Bob passed away Monday afternoon at St. James HealthCare with family by his side. He was able to say goodbye to all of his family before his passing. Bob was born on May 12, 1933, the son of Stojan and Ljubica (Strugar) Butorovich. Bob was born and raised in Butte, the youngest of eleven siblings. Bob attended Emerson Grade School, Butte High School, the University of Montana, and then Western Montana College where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education & Social Sciences in 1959, and his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education in 1968. Bob was very athletic and participated in sports through high school such as football, basketball and track. Bob played in the East-West Shrine game in 1952. He was also an avid boxer and boxed for the Montana Grizzlies. He was very proud of the fact that he was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1957. He was the ninth pick in the 27th round and the 333rd pick overall. He elected to stay home and be supportive of his mother. Bob married Rosalie “Ruza” Lucich on November 22, 1959, at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church. They were blessed with two sons, John and Dan. Bob was Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff from 1981-1993 after being elected in 1980. He served as Sheriff again briefly in 2000 after being appointed as acting sheriff by the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners. Bob’s professional career included positions to include the Sheriff of Butte-Silver Bow, Butte-Silver Bow Undersheriff, Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor with the Silver Bow Chemical Dependency Center; Director of Life Skills and Juvenile Detention Programs at Children’s Comprehensive Services of Montana; Chemical Dependent Counselor/Act Instructor with Butte-Silver Bow Chemical Dependent Services; Director of Education & Training at the Montana Children’s Center; Director, Southwestern Montana Drug Program; Chemical Dependency Counselor at Acadia; Director of the Butte Crisis Center serving 12 counties; and a junior high teacher and assistant varsity football and track coach at Glasgow High School in Glasgow, Montana. Bob served the community in many other ways as well. Bob was a member of the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church and served as President of the Serbian American Men’s Club for many years. He served on numerous boards and committees that were comprised of: Commissioner for Butte-Silver Bow District 85, Butte Cares, Inc., Butte Salvation Army, Montana Teen Institute (MTU) & Better Than Ever Students Together (BEST), Safe Space, Butte Pre-Release Center, Community Support for Education Committee, National Drug Abuse Community Prevention Planning, Butte-Silver Bow Cancer Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way, Butte Rotary Club, Butte-Silver Bow Community Enrichment Program, and March of Dimes. Bob was the first sheriff to implement the DARE program in Montana. Bob received many outstanding awards and citations to include: Outstanding Citizen’s Award, East Park Plaza Association (1992), Butte-Silver Bow Lawyers Association Liberty Bell Award (1989), Montana State Attorney General’s Outstanding Service Award for Outstanding Dedication and Significant Contribution to the Cause of Victim Rights (1989), and Montana Crimestoppers Crime Prevention Administrator of the Year (1986), and 15-90 Search & Rescue Board of Directors Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service (1984). Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester shared that “Bob Butorovich was a huge man with a heart of gold.” Sheriff Lester said that Bob truly put the people of Butte first and was always willing to deal with whatever came up. “He just knew he could help people if he had a chance to talk with them. He’d put himself at risk by talking to some dangerous people. Most of the time, it worked. But, it damn near got him killed a couple of times!” Sheriff Lester said Bob had a great sense of humor and was a true gentleman in every way. “He didn’t think I was tall enough for police work. But, he gave me a chance and I’m forever indebted to him!” Bob became known around the world when he was nearly killed while on duty on December 20, 1989, when he and two officers were attempting to negotiate with a suspect who had robbed a pharmacy with a briefcase full of explosives. The man had also wired his car to explode. The car was parked at the intersection of Montana and Broadway streets. The man intentionally detonated the car when Sheriff Butorovich and the other officers were nearby. Bob survived the explosion without serious injury and went right back to work that same day. Bob is survived by his bride of 60 years, Rosalie; their son, John (and his children, Dan(and his daughter Rosie), Sarah and her children Elizabeth & Jacob; Hannah and her children Jaxon, Harper, & Teddy Bob; and Nick (Jordyn) and their daughter, Gaia); and his son, Dan (Gina) and their daughter Charlotte; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill & Linda Larson, and their son Bob; his brother-in-law, Marko Lucich; and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his best friend and best man, John (Nancy) Bjeletich. Bob will be joined by the following family members in the heavenly kingdom - his mother and father, Stojan and Ljubica Butorovich; his brothers and sisters, George Masanovich, Olga Vujovich, Stella Abston, Steve Masanovich, Zorka Oreskovich, Ann Sorich, Rose Pierce, Mary Kotz, John Masanovich, and Michael Butorovich. He will also be joining his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Johnno & Donnie Lucich, and his great-granddaughter Murphy Hope Butorovich. Services will be held at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church - A visitation will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2020, with a vigil service to follow at 6:30 p.m. On Monday, August 24, 2020, there will be a visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and Bob’s funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church with Father Russell Radoicich officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Ascension Mausoleum at Mountain View Cemetery at approximately 11:30 a.m. If friends are so inclined and do not wish to attend the services in the church, you are more than welcome to attend the committal services at Mountain View Cemetery. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Holy Trinity Parish Center immediately after graveside services. Masks will be available at the door. The family requests that all memorials be sent to the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 2100 Continental Drive, Butte, MT 59701. Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Bob began life as a humble human being, and finished his life as a humble man. May we always remember Bob by his joyful attitude, his heart of gold, and his smiles. Rest in Peace, Car 1

Tributes

Robert "Bob" Butorovich

May 12, 1933 - August 17, 2020