Herbert “Herb” Mains Jr., 85

Herb passed away on Nov. 17, 2024, at his home in West Glacier. Born on June 12, 1939 in Billings Montana, Herb’s family moved to Belton (West Glacier) shortly thereafter where he attended elementary school at the Belton School.  With Glacier Park as their backyard, Herb and his younger brother spent their youth camping, fishing, and hiking, particularly in the North Fork region of the park.  As a child he loved the steam engines that traveled through town and on one occasion was able to ride in the locomotive to Essex, blowing the steam whistle at every opportunity. 

Herb moved to Arizona in the 1950s where he graduated from Yuma High School, driving to school in a 1931 Model A convertible. He began what would begin a long career in engineering and construction working for the Arizona Department of Transportation and construction companies in the Phoenix area.  During this time he was particularly proud to have worked on the construction of Sun Devil Stadium on the ASU campus. 

Herb served his country in the Arizona Air National Guard, which would trigger a lifelong love of aviation. While serving, he was stationed on Johnston Atoll in the South Pacific where he worked on the construction of a military airstrip.

Herb moved to San Diego, Calif. in 1968 and soon after met, and married Darlene Martin, who had recently arrived in California from Texas.  In 1973, he co-founded Geocon, a geotechnical firm that would become one of the premier soil consulting firms in the western United States with nine offices and over 350 employees today.  

While in San Diego, Herb and Darlene raised a son, (Derick), and daughter, (Kim) and spent many vacations returning to his native Montana. In 1988, he and Darlene purchased a small two-bedroom cabin on the Glacier View Golf Course in West Glacier and after his retirement in 1998, they made West Glacier their permanent home.  

Glacier Park and its surrounding area continued to bring him joy for his remaining years.  Herb loved his drives along the little traveled Inside North Fork Road and sharing his love of the area with friends and family.  An avid pilot, Herb owned a small single engine plane which he loved to fly over the Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and Flathead Valley. He particularly cherished the aviation community that built up around the Ferndale airport and the many breakfasts he shared with his fellow pilots. He loved playing golf each week as part of the Glacier View Golf Course men’s league where the laughs he generated far exceeded his number of strokes each round. 

Herb was beloved by all who were fortunate enough to know him.  He saw the absolute best in people and always found a way to let them know how special they were.  He was kind, generous, and always willing to do what he could to help others.  

But possibly more than anything else, people knew Herb for his unique sense of humor, his well-intentioned jokes, wisecracks and his ability to lighten any room with his charm.   

When his health began to fail, his generosity was repaid by the countless friends who visited him and helped him and Darlene in any way they could.  He was lucky to be part of such a wonderful community.

Herb was preceded in death by his father Herbert, Sr., mother Ellen and brother Michael.  He is survived by his wife Darlene, son Derick and his wife Kim; his daughter Kim and her husband Ernie and his four grandchildren Laurel, Ryan, Carly and Jack.

No public memorial is planned at this time. A celebration of life for Herb will be held in 2025. Condolences may be sent c/o Darlene Mains PO Box 121 West Glacier, MT 59936.  

To send online condolences please visit Herb’s tribute page at columbiamortuary.com. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.