Emerson Depuy

Emerson DePuy, 86, passed away on August 1, 2011 with his family by his side. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa on February 16, 1925, the son of Clifford DePuy and Frances Lillian Prouty DePuy. He was married to Ann Jackson DePuy for 61 years until her death in 2009. Old Blue Eyes was an old school gentleman. He was also a mechanical wizard, inveterate teaser and a people magnet. He loved living in beautiful Montana where he could ski or fly fish once the grass was cut. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School, Des Moines, in 1942 on a Friday and started college on Monday because the nation was at war. After receiving his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State, Ames, he attended Midshipman's School at Notre Dame. He served as the deck officer on the USS Admiral Coontz, the largest navel transport at that time. After the war, he attended Wesleyan University in Middleton, Connecticut to receive an M.A. in Economics. Emerson's only employer was Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company, the heavy construction company that built the St. Louis arch. When he retired at end of 34 years, he was the Northwest District Sales Manager covering Northern California, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska and Northern Nevada. Em lived in Des Moines, Dallas, Chicago, Spain, and Pittsburgh before living 27 years in Menlo Park, CA. As Scout Master of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 109, he grew the troop to be one of the strongest in the Bay Area and mentored many, including his son Dave, to Eagle Scout. He and Ann were consummate world travelers. When he moved to Bozeman in 1988 he quickly became involved in the community, volunteering at the Museum of the Rockies, the Bridger Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, and SCORE, where he was Chapter Administrator until his death. He will be widely remembered for his commitment to helping others improve and his direct, quick sense of humor. Emerson is survived by his children, Debbie DePuy, Los Angeles, CA and Dave DePuy (Judy), Los Altos Hills, CA, his grandchildren, Jesse Giunta, Woodland Hills, CA, Jennifer DePuy, Los Altos Hills, CA and Cliff DePuy, Los Altos Hills, CA, and his West Highland terriers, Foxie and Boomer. At Em's request no service will be held. Memorial donations may be made to the Bridger Canyon Rural Fire Department Auxiliary, 8081 Bridger Canyon Road, Bozeman, MT 59715, Museum of the Rockies, 600 West Kagy Boulevard Bozeman, MT 59717, or to a charity of one's choosing.