Sadly, this wonderful man passed away on September 7, 2024. Bob was born on June 5,1929 in Butte to John and Stella Pavlovich. Bob loved Butte and was extremely proud of his eastside roots, and occasionally proclaimed himself to be a proud "Bohunk."  Bob remembered that growing up on Butte's eastside was like growing up in a big melting pot, where the Slavs, Italians and Irish were well represented and their unique traditions preserved. If the true value of a man was to be measured solely by the number of friends he had, then Bob left us as a very rich man. His absence will be long felt in Butte, southwest Montana and throughout state. Bob made the most of every day of his 95 years and he had a profound influence as a tavern owner, his 20+ years as a legislator and as a fierce advocate for veteran's causes. Bob was genuine, loving, kind, generous and quick to offer a firm handshake to those friends he met throughout his life.

As a youngster, Bob, along with most of his buddies, spent a lot of time on the dusty and barren ballfields that dotted the Butte landscape. It was in playing sports that Bob forged some lifelong and deeply held friendships. One of his best pals was Muzzy Faroni and Bob loved to tell the story as to how in 1944, his ragtag teammates from the old Grant School compiled a 24-0 record in the city baseball league. Bob related how they were then able to beat the best players from the Immaculate Conception School for the city championship. This team then traveled to the Anaconda Commons where they beat Anaconda in two out of three games. Bob remembered that Muzzy threw a perfect game in one of those games. Bob went on to play American Legion Baseball and in 1946 his legion team won the state championship in Miles City. Playing baseball and his fervent love of the game led him to become a lifelong and diehard fan of the New York Yankees. Several years later, Muzzy, Bob and Danny Antonetti filled their pockets with silver dollars and set off on an adventurous cross-country trip to watch the Yankees in the World Series. Bob also rooted for the hometown Bulldogs, Maroons and 'Diggers and was a big fan of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Bob possessed an impeccable work ethic that he learned as a young man. He realized that if you wanted something, you had to work hard to earn it. Bob delivered groceries, was a paperboy and picked-up every odd job he could find. Bob subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army where he spent three years.

In the early 1960's, Bob's bartending career started and after various jobs in San Francisco, he returned to Butte and joined his brother Pete Yerkich who owned the Met Tavern. Pete bought the building that originally housed Dale's Fruit Stand on Harrison Avenue. Pete refurbished the building to accommodate a bar, and the Met Tavern was born. Bob discovered his true calling, and he poured his heart and soul into the business for decades to come. Over the years, the Met customers could enjoy a nice cold one in the easy company of the other patrons. There were no class distinctions at the Met. Bankers, bikers, attorneys, day's-pay miners, mail carriers, (the occasional parolee), etc. could belly-up to the bar and relax. As the business grew, Bob and Pete did their very best to offer the customers a wide variety of things to enjoy. Bob and Pete began to provide daily lunches and punchboards were readily accessible, games of Polish poker, cribbage and pinochle (Bob's favorite) were always being played.  Live music was a constant during the early days at the Met. Through the years, the Met sponsored many softball, basketball and bowling teams. The Met crew built and entered many floats for the 4th of July and St. Patrick's Day parades. The annual Met picnic always drew large crowds with plenty of family fun available.  Wagers on local, collegiate and professional games were available at the Met. During the various state tournaments held in the Civic Center, many fans enjoyed the good times that could be had  at the Met. Bob made many friends from throughout Montana when they came in to take a break from the action in the Civic Center. In 1973, Bob, along with Muzzy, Dolph Bugni and Sandy Keith were elected as the original officers of the Silver-Bow Tavern Association,

In 1979, a group of Met customers talked Bob into running for the state legislature. He campaigned hard and eventually won the seat and thus another chapter in Bob's remarkable life began. After learning the ropes in Helena, Bob got right to business. He learned a valuable lesson early on and that was the ability to reach across the aisle when you had to and compromise to craft legislation beneficial to all Montanan's. Over time, Bob earned a reputation as a hardworking, fair-minded and knowledgeable lawmaker. In the legislature, Bob worked with the Butte delegation to get poker/keno machines approved, worked hard with the representatives of southwest Montana to ward off the proposed threats to the operational integrity of Montana Tech and Western Montana College and Bob also fought for six years in the legislature to get a veteran's hiring preference enacted and when that finally happened, it was then one of best in the United States. In 1984, Bob was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Special Award for Distinguished Service. Bob was also acknowledged by many other agencies during his tenure in the legislature and he was particularly proud of his service with the Butte delegation and good friends Fritz Daly, J.D. Lynch, Joe Quilici and Anaconda's Red Menahan.

When his 20+ years in the legislature concluded, Bob returned to Butte to enjoy "retired" life. He had previously sold the Met and had every intention to simply relax, play golf, travel with his wife Kathy and enjoy the company of his many friends. Unfortunately, that was not to be as retired life didn't sit well with Bob.  He eventually found part-time work bartending for his good friend Art Dick at the Red Zone. Bob was happiest when he was working behind the "plank" and engaging with his loyal customers. If that wasn't enough to occupy his time, Bob began shuttling rental cars for Avis and Hertz throughout southwest Montana. The pay wasn't very good, but Bob loved to drive and was often doing so behind the wheel of a brand-new car, truck or SUV. Bob, along with Frank Grady, Freddy Bull and others drove when called upon and Bob and his little caravan of friends drove all over southwest Montana with occasional trips into Idaho. His work at the Red Zone eventually came to an end and so did his shuttling rental cars.  Bob then went to work bartending at the Butte Country Club, but after a short time, Bob's legs could no longer hold up, so he gave up bartending for the final time.

Bob then refocused his tenacity, energies and resources into getting a Veteran's Home sited in southwest Montana. Bob was tireless and fierce in his advocacy of this project. Countless meetings were held, concessions were made, funding sources were identified, and Bob solicited the political clout of U.S. Senator Jon Tester, state senator Jon Sesso and others to help make this dream a reality. The biggest obstacle was where in the seven counties of southwest Montana could the Veteran's Center be located? The funding finally came through and the Harrington Family made a huge and generous donation of land. Finally, in April of 2022, the Southwest Montana Veteran's Home opened its doors in Butte.
As irony would have it, Bob subsequently entered the Home he helped get built and spent his final days there. He was assigned to Cottage #2 and the staff there are the kindest, loving, most caring and compassionate professionals one could ever find. While at the Vets home, Bob had a steady stream of family and friends who regularly came out to see their old friend. Fritz Daly and Bob would discuss a wide variety of contemporary topics and reminisce about the good old days. Bob "Rollo" Rowling was also a faithful visitor and was Bob's "bookie" of sorts, regularly picking up pull tabs and making sure Bob was always on numerous sports pools. Paul Riley was always there for Bob as were his favorite "cooks," Colleen Riley and Shelly Hoar, who faithfully brought Bob all kinds of his favorite meals and treats. Also, his good friends Rocky Rakich, Art Dick, Bill Maloney and Ed McKevitt enjoyed spending time with Bob.  Bob had so many more family and friends that it would be difficult to mention all of them.

Throughout his life, Bob made countless and close friends and some of them he came to view as an "extended family"- Muzzy, Fritz and Dan Antonetti. His family meant everything to Bob, but the stories that could be told of the many adventures Bob and his friends had would be endless. But, above all, Bob's love for Kathy and their family was boundless, and he was so very proud of their individual accomplishments and victories. Truly, Bob's life was a life very well lived.    "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"

Bob is survived by his children from Butte, Marcy Pavlovich- Holverson (Steve McArthur) and Julie Pavlovich. From Seattle, John Pavlovich (Michelle) and Maureen Pavlovich-Stepan  (Rob). From Alaska, Denis and Joyce Gardella. Butte grandchildren Marissa Steele (Eric), Jared Frisbie and great-grandchildren Wyatt Queer, Colter and Hudson Steele. Seattle grandchildren are Morgan Pavlovich and Chase and Owen Stepan. Alaska grandchildren, Lillian Gardella and great-grandchildren Evelyn, Eli and Lucy and great-great granddaughter Madelyn. Jenny Meritt (Paul) and great grandchildren Noah, Molly, Jacob, Elim, Sam and Zion. Peter Gardella (Malia) and great-grandchildren Logan and Riley. Emily Yost (Zacary) and great-grandchildren Max, Johnny, Daniel, Trudy and Lena. Rebekah McGlinchy (John) and great-grandchildren Asher, Caris, Beckett and Mack. Cort Ozanne and Desiree, Jantanna and Jacobi Lopez. Bob is also survived by his sister-in-law Leona Yerkich and the Yerkich family.  Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Kathy, son Bobby and daughter Kathy.

Friends may call on Saturday, October 19, 2024, after 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Memorials are suggested to the Southwest Montana Veteran's Home, 65 Veterans Circle, Butte, Montana 59701, the Scott MacDonald Memorial Fund, 36 St. Andrews, Butte, Montana 59701 or the charity of the donor's choice.