Obituary Robert Glen Lund Jr.
Author: Simple Cremation Montana
Robert Glen Lund Jr. surrendered to his battle against Progressive Supranuclear Palsy on November 13, 2023, at the age of 74.
Glen was the first of 12 kids born to father Robert Glen Lund Sr. and mother Mary Elisabeth Duchanie on December 28, 1948. He was affectionately known as ‘Buttercup’ across his wife’s social media accounts, while those closest to him knew him as “Glen”.
He graduated from Benson High School in Portland Oregon and was drafted shortly thereafter and began enlistment in the USMC. After boot camp, he was immediately deployed as a Field Wireman & Radio Operator in Vietnam and actively served in Dongha, Cameron Bay and Quantree until he was wounded and received his Purple Heart. He then returned to Portland, Oregon and worked as as a surveyor in Port Orford, Cottage Grove, and McDonald Pass in Helena, Montana. It was around this time he would soon meet his lifelong wife, Judy. Before he proposed to her, he was adamant about finding permanent, stable employment. To his surprise, that happened much more quickly than he expected and they were able to get married in August instead of October of 1971.
From 1971 until 1976 Glen and Judy lived in Portland, Oregon and had three children, one daughter and twin sons. During their time in Oregon, Glen worked as a Cartographic Technician for the Soil Conservation Service (later renamed NRCS) and retired in 2007. After two brief years of retirement, he returned to his job with NRCS on a part time basis. He permanently retired in 2009.
Glen enlisted with the Air National Guard and served three years in Portland before his job transferred him to Bozeman, Montana in April of 1976 when Glen enlisted in the Montana Army National Guard. Glen served over 30 years in the military, retiring in 2006. After retirement, he became a member and president of Big Sky Toastmasters (Bozeman) and served as Board President of Rae Water & Sewer subdivision for 9 years (Bozeman). He also served as a member and historian of American Legion Post 42 (Townsend).
Glen loved fishing! After 42 years of working and raising their kids in Bozeman, Judy and Glen moved to Townsend, Montana (2018), shortening the long drive time it took Glen to fish at Canyon Ferry. Glen enjoyed gardening and playing pinochle at the senior center every week. He loved puzzles (9,000 pieces were even too easy for him). Judy started buying him brain teaser puzzles but there just wasn’t a puzzle he could not figure out regardless of how complex they were.
In addition to being a hard-working husband and father, Glen was very happy to give his blood and plasma donations to the Red Cross and was on his 43rd gallon in 2021.
Buttercup was a fantastic man: quiet, never complaining, just wanted to live a simple life without a lot of hassles. He was true to his Norwegian heritage and was always the essence of calm. Sadly, Judy was Italian and to her, every day was a crisis! Glen remained calm and Judy ran around like a crazed baboon! Somehow through all their years together they worked it all out because…as they said, “We came from a generation that when something was broken you found a way to fix it–not just throw it away. We were a team through thick and thin regardless. Marriage is a commitment which we believed in and took seriously. That was our foundation and through all the craziness of our life together nothing was ever bad enough to put a crack in it. We started out together and we will end it together. “Till death do us part!” Amen. Amen. and Amen!”
Glen and Judy celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in 2023 with their 50th wedding anniversary being the most special. It was unbelievable! He asked Judy if she wanted to go another 50 with him and–of course–she said “yes”. It was the best day of Judy’s life.
Glen was preceded in death by his brother Francis, also a Marine, in 1972 and his parents Robert and Mary Lund Sr. He is survived by his wife Judy of 52 years; their 3 children, Jenny (Michael) and twins Patrick (Kate) and Travis (Karen); 3 Grandchildren, Katelyn (Aukeyla), Kyle and Emma; 3 step-grandchildren Ethan, Emma and Colin; their niece Jodina Ardito and nephew, Michael Ardito Jr., as well as several nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. Glen’s ashes will be buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon at a later time with a Military Funeral. Most of Glen and Judy’s families proudly served their country. Glen’s parents and brother, along with Judy’s Father, John Ardito, and many other family members served their country. And, as Glen always liked to tack onto every sentence, “...and stuff like that!”
There will be an open house at Glen and Judy's home on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 2-4 pm, at 609 Broadway Street in Townsend. Food and beverages will be provided. Please stop by and share memories and condolences with the Lund family.
Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family. Remembrances and condolences may be sent to the family at simplecremationmt.com.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Lund family
