Colonel Michael Edward Bolin (ret) was born in Billings Montana on August 18, 1944 to Ed Bolin and Jean Bolin and died on July 25, 2011 at Ft. Harrison VA Hospital.<\/p>\n
Mike spent his younger years in Butte and Absarokee.<\/p>\n
He graduated from Absarokee High School in 1962. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Montana State College in 1967. During this time he also completed the ROTC program and upon graduation he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. He graduated from Army helicopter training and was sent to Viet Nam from 1969-70. During his time of service he received several medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon discharge from active duty he joined the Montana National Guard and continued to fly helicopters. He returned to Montana State University and earned a Master Degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering in 1971. After graduation, he went to work for Continental Oil at their refinery in Billings. In 1975 he became the Aviation Safety Officer and moved his family to Helena. He held several positions with the Guard, including a 2 1\/2 year stint as Chief of Staff for the Guam National Guard. He retired in 1997 as a colonel with 28 years in the National Guard. He started teaching for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University a few years prior to retirement and then went full time after retirement. During his time with Embry Riddle he obtained his second Master\u2019s Degree in Aeronautical Science. He was forced to retire in 2008 due to early symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia. <\/p>\n
He married Lynn Ostenson in Columbus, Montana on December 18, 1965. They had two children Krystine born in 1969 and Greg born in 1971. <\/p>\n
Mike was preceded in death by his Grandfather and Grandmother Chitwood, who raised him and his parents. <\/p>\n
He is survived by his wife Lynn, daughter Krystine (Tom), son Greg, grand-daughter Elle, Sister Linda Alberta (Richard), and his dear friends Bill and Judy Edwards. He also survived by his aunt June Trees, several nieces and nephews, and cousins. <\/p>\n
The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at the VA hospital at Ft. Harrison and Dr. Jay Larson and his staff, who took such good care of Mike. <\/p>\n
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Military graveside honors will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 29 at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Memorials may be sent to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd SW, Lilburn, Ga. 30047 or a charity or the donor\u2019s choice. To offer condolences to the family please visit: www.aswfuneralhome.com<\/p>\n","photo":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/422138_profile_pic.jpg","youtube_video_url":"","family_email":"","family_first_name":"","family_last_name":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case\/898","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}