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Reggie Dunkin, aka ‘Mountain Man’
When I was asked to write an obituary for Reggie, the first thing in my mind was “why me” well why not!
He was able to talk to anyone at any time anywhere. Reggie was a colorful character a man of many talents, a musician, storyteller, a friend to many and a kind soul.
Reggie Dunkin was born to Elwyn and Naomi Dunkin on June 26, 1951. He had one brother, Jack, who was 19 at the time. When he was about 4 years old, his grandmother Blanch came to live in the upstairs apartment in their home. She was born and raised in Colorado in the late 1800s.
Reggie spent countless hours with her playing Parcheesi, poker and listening to her stories as a cook and seamstress in the mining camps all around Colorado. I believe this important relationship ultimately inspired his love of all things “American West.”
I am Stephanie Ingle, his only daughter, born to him and his wife (at the time) in 1979. He was a mentor to many in his community and loved being the “life of the party” wherever he was. I am so please to know that he found what he considered his “true home” in West Glacier.
Reggie referred to Hungry Horse, Martin City and Coram as the perfect place to live and he should know as he lived in New York, California and Indiana before moving to Montana.
“I’ve been in every state in the union and I saved the best for last,” he said.
Reggie found his perfect place to live along the Middle and North forks of the Flathead River. Truly a beautiful and peaceful place to call home, Reggie often said, “People in the Canyon, like any small town, take care of each other, people are kind here.”
If friends or family were in need you knew Reggie would be right there to help. His heart was as big as the mountains he loved so very much. Reggie had a special place in his heart for children and shared his vast knowledge with them. Behind that beard was a beautiful smile and twinkling eyes ready to make you laugh.
You would find Reggie at all community events from Cabin Fever Days to the Fourth of July celebration in Polebridge, where you would find him dressed in a manner fitting of the frontier settler or mountain man he longed to be. Reggie also raced in the World Championship Barstool Races for many years, as one of the most successful racers Reggie preferred more elaborate sleds. One year he won a race in a pirate ship, another year he let his beard grow long and rode down in a ZZ Top themed Ford Eliminator Sled. The local favorite is the sled he built that looked like one of the Glacier National Park red buses. Now retired, the red bus sits outside the Packer’s Roost Bar.
Reggie worked odd jobs over the years including the Belton Chalet, where he helped with the restoration of the property in the 1990s. Reggie was so proud that he was one of restoration crew. He would tell you all about his experiences while working there if you would give him the time. Reggie made a point of sleeping in all 25 rooms in the lodge just to make sure he stayed in the same room as President Teddy Roosevelt, who stayed there over a century ago. Not long after that he started making wooden beer koozies fashioned out of trees that are still sold today.
As I finish this today, I keep thinking about a quote I have heard many times in my life. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” If you judged Reggie by his, you missed one of the best stories ever told. Reggie may be gone for now, but Godspeed our friend until we all meet again.
“There is no death, only a change of worlds.”
— Chief Seattle