Robert 'Bob' James Bunch

Robert 'Bob' Bunch Obituary Bob passed away on February 12, 2025, at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, Montana. He was born April 6, 1951, in Norfolk, Virginia to David Edward Bunch and Helen Theresa (Slye) Bunch.

Bob moved from Norfolk, Virginia to Ottawa, Kansas with his parents and siblings in 1960. He graduated from Kansas schools, from elementary school through college. He married Heather Marie Phoenix on September 4, 1979. Their son, Andrew Thomas was born in 1981 and the new family moved to Plains when Bob was hired by Shrider Funeral Services. He later partnered with Dale Coffelt and established Coffelt-Bunch Funeral Services in 1987 in Thompson Falls and Plains. Bob eventually bought out Dale and continued to serve Sanders County communities until he sold in 2004. He continued after retirement helping at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Garden City Funeral Homes in Missoula. The funeral homes currently operate as Sunset Hills Funeral Homes & Crematory in Plains & Thompson Falls.

Bob was an avid golfer and spent as many days on the course as possible with his gentlemen golfers. He also loved to collect coins (and enjoyed visiting the casino). He was a long-time member of the Alcoholics Anonymous community and sponsored others in need. He provided transportation for the local Amish community of Plains and helped many others throughout his life.

He was a loyal fan of the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Before his death, he realized a lifetime dream of going to Arizona for the Kansas City Royals spring training after having gone with Andrew to Florida to see spring training.

He is survived by his loving sisters, Theresa Keener (Thomas) of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Donita Zundel (Norman) of Elkridge, Maryland; his former wife, Heather (Phoenix) of Plains; and two step-sons, Martin Alver (Robin, deceased) of Louisville, Kentucky; and John Alver (Sarah) and son, Gabriel Alver, of Seattle, Washington; his uncle James Bunch of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents preceded him, as well as his son, Andrew Bunch in 2023; his brother Tom (Patty) of Ottawa, Kansas; and an infant sister, Catherine.

Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Plains is facilitating a memorial service.