Help Bob Rebuild After Devastating Fire

Hi, I’m Bob Whitney’s sister, Michele.

Bob has had a rough 2024. He lives in Melstone, Montana. He bought the property over 20 years ago so he could retire and build a home there, which he had been working on for several years.

He traveled back and forth to his property over the years so he could start building his life of retirement. Over several years, he built the garage/workshop first so he could have a place to store his equipment and have someplace to work. At first, he would stay in his camper. Then, he eventually bought a travel trailer and left that on the property for longer visits. Bob had great neighbors who helped him build his garage, offering to pitch in and help. He knew he had made the right decision to buy in Montana, with such great people surrounding him. He eventually retired there and started building his home. He finally had the house far enough along that he moved into it in 2023. It’s not 100% complete yet, but it is livable and comfortable for him.

Bob started out in February 2024 with congestive heart failure and was in the hospital for 2 weeks and then to rehab for 1 month. He then came to stay with me in Idaho for 6 weeks and was doing so much better, so we took him home to his place in Melstone. After only 2 weeks, he ended up sick again and in the hospital with double pneumonia and was very sick. He was in ICU with a breathing tube for almost a month. We thought we were going to lose him, but he came back. He went to rehab again for 3 months, then I brought him back to Idaho with me to recoup. He’s been with me since Oct 1st and is getting stronger and better.

He thought the worst was over for this year, but on Sunday, Dec 8, 2024, Bob got word there was a fire on his property. His garage/workshop was destroyed, and the 29-foot travel trailer and Lance truck camper were burnt to the ground. They cannot determine what started the fire. He had not been there for over 6 months. No one is living there, no lightning strikes. Winds were very strong that night, so it carried through the property. Just don’t know. Undetermined, per the Fire Marshall.

Unfortunately, most of his clothes, pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, linen, and his household small appliances and everyday living items were burnt in the trailer. He lost all his tools, a lot of woodworking equipment, materials, tool chests, BBQ, snow plow, and much more also burnt with the garage.

Bob had no insurance because it cost too much, over $10,000 a year, and he couldn’t afford it, with him only surviving on Social Security.

Bob will be heading back home to Melstone early 2025. The task now is to get his electricity repaired and back on. Also, the property cleanup will be a huge task.

Anything you can give, $5, $10, $20, etc. to help replace his everyday/essential living supplies and repairs needed, would be so greatly appreciated.

I see him trying to be strong through this, but it is definitely a very hard time for him, especially as he is still getting his health back.

Thank you for listening to Bob’s story. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Michele