Joseph R. 'Joe' Sankovic, 81

Joseph R. Sankovic, 81, passed away Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born Feb. 14, 1925, in Redstone Township near Pittsburgh, the son of Joseph William and Christine (Voytask) Sankovic.

His 81-year-old life was most Croatian (Montenegren) family background. He would tell friends that he was not "born" but merely "issued" into life.

Joe was professionally a soldier and a graduate civil engineer. His avocation was competitive rifle shooting. He was an accomplished competitive target shooter who was awarded the Distinguished Rifle Marksman Badge and was designated a member of the President's Hundred (service rifle) at the National Matches in Camp Perry, Ohio. He competed in all rifle disciplines and won several state championships in high power and long range matches. In the 1980s, his shooting abilities won him a position on the U.S. Army All Guard national team. He was a shooter's shooter who shared information and data on all aspects of competitive rifle competition. He had a wealth of knowledge about all things concerning rifle marksmanship and quality firearms.

When World War II commenced, Joe left high school in his junior year and enlisted in military service with the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday.

He was deployed to the Pacific Theater with a combat infantry unit that also included heavy construction companies. Among other activities he helped to build airstrips and communication centers in remote areas of the Pacific. He was actively involved in combat at Luzon and in New Guinea and received a commission as a regular Army lieutenant. He was credited with downing a Japanese Zero fighter that flew over his .50-caliber Browning machine gun on the perimeter of a jungle airstrip. When hostilities ceased in 1945, Joe remained in Japan to assist with rebuilding of new infrastructure projects. For a detailed account of Joe's service, see the Library of Congress Veterans History Project: http://lcweb2.loc.gov./cocoon/vhp/bib/18727 and http://www.loc.gov/vets/

After was service, Joe returned to Pittsburgh where he finished high school and then attended the University of Pittsburgh, received a degree in civil and mining engineering-magna cum laude.

He moved to Butte in the early 1950s and worked in underground mining until the 1960s. He then went to work for the U.S. Forest Service and relocated to the Kalispell office, where he remained until his retirement in 1987.

Joe surveyed and supervised construction many of the roads and bridges on the Deer Lodge and Flathead National Forest (Spotted Bear and Glacier View districts) as well as special projects on other U.S. Forests around the state.

He assisted the National Rifle Association with safe range development and planning in the Pacific Northwest. Because of his extensive experience with explosives, he was designated a certified blaster examiner for the Department of Agriculture.

Joe was always a soldier in addition to his regular professional civilian employment. He was disciplined athlete during his life and in great physical shape at all ages. Wanting to be the best, he re-enlisted and applied for Army Special Forces. He was accepted into special warfare training and attended jump school when he was 39 years old. He completed the course ahead of many paratroopers who were many years younger. It is interesting to note that until military service during WWII, Joe had never flown in an airplane, nor made a parachute jump. While in the Philippines, he "climbed" about a waiting aircraft and found himself in the company of some Airborne soldiers. He not only took his first flight that afternoon, but also "borrowed" a parachute and made his first parachute jump! Joe served with several Special Forces groups and was a non-commissioned officer at the time of his retirement and honorary discharge. He made his last parachute jump in South Africa in 1996.

Within the last three weeks, Joe spent special time shooting and camping at Spotted Bear with close friends, doing what he loved.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Miss Beverly "my bride" Sankovic, of Kalispell; a son, Michael Sankovic, of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and four daughters, Ruth Grecco and husband, Tom, of South Hampton, N.J., Patty Fisher and husband, Phil, and Pamela Berry and husband, Buzz, all of Kalispell, and Paula Mattern and husband, Brian, of Columbia Falls; his 98-year-old mother, Christine Sankovic; brother, Ed Sankovic, and his wife, Marion; sisters, Connie Sankovic, and Helen Warren and husband, Robert, and brother-in-law John West, all of Pennsylvania; and 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Joseph will be at 10 a.m. today, Oct. 31, at the First Baptist Church in Kalispell, with Pastor Jim Sandholdt officiating. There will be no public visitation. Urn burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery where full military honors will be conducted by the United Veterans of the Flathead.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Ronald McDonald House, P.O. Box 1119, Missoula, MT 59806; or First Baptist Church, 301 W. Wyoming, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Joseph's family.