On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006, Robert "Bob" John Kolterman, 84, left his family and friends for a better life.
   Bob was born Aug. 6, 1921, to Charles W. and Martha Richfeldt Kolterman at Hot Springs, S.D. He spent his childhood on the family ranch near the Cheyenne River south of Hot Springs.
   Bob was inducted into military service, July 22, 1942, reporting to Ft Leavenworth, Kan. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, where he attained the rank of 1st Sergeant.  He served in the Central European Theater during WWII, where he was wounded twice, for which he received the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Bob also was awarded the Distinguished Unit, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Ribbon and the Belgium Fourragére. He received his honorable discharge Nov. 12, 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wis.
   Bob married the love of his life, Grace Halls, in Rapid City, S.D. on Feb. 9. 1946. They raised three children.
   Attending Indiana Technical College at Ft. Wayne, Ind, Bob received his bachelor of science degree In civil engineering, November 1948.
   Bob worked for the Bureau of Reclamation from February 1949 until his retirement in Billings in May 1980. His work included construction of Keyhole Dam in Wyoming, Pactola Dam in South Dakota and Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. He was Regional Project Engineer in Othello, Wash., Boise, Idaho; and Billings.

   Bob volunteered many years with the Boy Scouts of America AARP Driver Safety Program; and NARFE Chapter #450.
   He was a member of the Elks Lodge, First United Methodist Church and served in various leadership positions.
   Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Grace; two sons, Keith (Becky) Kolterman, Odessa, Wash., Jim (Laura) Kolterman Billings; and daughter Sue Smith of Billings; seven grandsons; one granddaughter; four great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters; and a sister, Genevie Wooster of Bums, Ore. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Martha; sister Rosalie Robertson; and brother Carl Kolterman.
   Funeral services at First United Methodist Church, 2800 Fourth Ave. N, at 2 p.m Monday, Jan. 16, with Rev. Tim Hathaway officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in Mountview Cemetery, with military honors. Fellowship at First United Methodist Church will follow interment.
  Arrangements handled by Smith Funeral Chapel and Crematory.
   The family was requested in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Boy Scouts of America, 2528 Grand Ave, Billings, MT 59102, or First United Methodist Church. 2800 Fourth Ave. N. Billings, MT 59101.

[The Billings Gazette, Billings, MT, 13 Jan 2006, Fri, Main Edition, Page 26]

Robert enlisted in the Army at Fort Leavenworth, KS on 22 July 1942.

Pvt Kolterman was attached to Hq Hq, 50p8th PIR and  was transferred to Company G on 8 March 1943.

T/4 Kolterman was wounded in action in France on 18 June 1944 and evacuated to Hospital 4172, which was located in Blackmore Park, Worcestershire, England.

T/4 Kolterman was promoted directly to 1st Sgt on 1 October 1944.

1/Sgt Kolterman was wounded a second time in Belgium on 7 January 1945.

The action, as cited in a book by Phil Nordyke, read:, "1st Sgt Robert Kolterman, despite being wounded during the assault, continued with Company G as it mopped up the western end of the ridge. … evacuated to the first aid station during this action."

He rejoined the company on 5 March 1945.

Robert was discharged on 12 November 1945.