Doyne Tank

April 24, 1931 ~ May 20, 2018

Service: June 01, 2018 11:00 AM
   Location: Bozeman United Methodist Church

Doyne L. “Mike” Tank, 87, passed away in Ogden, Utah, on May 20, 2018, of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Mike was born on April 24, 1931, to Leon and Judith Hagbom Tank in Hettinger, ND. Mike graduated from Hettinger High School in 1949 and received his B.S. degree in Forestry from the University of Montana. He married Cecilia Melby Tank on October 18, 1959, in Hettinger, ND, and they enjoyed over 58 wonderful years of marriage.

Mike began his career with the U.S. Forest Service in 1959 in timber management, serving four different forests in Montana and Idaho. His career took him and his family to Redding, CA, where he served as a pilot and managed the smoke jumper aircraft support program. In 1981, the family moved to Ogden, UT, where Mike served as the Regional Aviation Officer for Region 4 – Intermountain Region – until his retirement in 1988.

Mike served as a pilot in the U. S. Air Force in Germany and France from 1953-1959 and in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves in Montana, California and Utah, from 1968-1985, retiring after 23 years of service. 

After retirement, from the U.S. Forest Service, Mike launched a 17-year career as a charter pilot at Sunbird Aviation in Belgrade. He took great pride in each flight and treasured the many friends and acquaintances he made along the way. Also, in retirement, Mike discovered his love of woodworking and crafted many beautiful pieces of furniture for family and friends. They will be a treasured memory to all that received them.

Mike was a 35-year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and sang lead with choruses and quartets in Montana, California and Utah. He was a proud member of the Chord Rustlers in Bozeman. Mike had a passion for singing, a beautiful voice, and shared his love of music with many over the years.

Mike and Cecilia resided in Bozeman for 28 years and recently moved to Utah to be closer to family. Mike was a member of the Bozeman United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing with the Morning Sounds and being a part of the Methodist breakfast bunch. He was a member of the Daedalians, Rotary Club and Montana Aeronautics. Mike and Cecilia enjoyed many trips with their 5th wheel trailer. Those holding special memories are EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (WI), the Oregon coast, through Canada with the breakfast bunch, and many trips throughout Montana and surrounding states.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Cecilia; daughters, Kristine (Thomas) Trudeau of Huntingtown, MD; Brenda (Mitch) Boren of Roy, UT; grandsons, Alex (Jennifer) Boren of Morrison, CO;  Travis Boren of Salt Lake City, UT; sisters, Sheila Johnson, Rathdrum, ID; Yvonne Borgmann, Helena, MT; Arlyce (Jim) Ross of Longview, WA; brothers, Dennis (Charlene) Tank of Bismarck, ND; Gerald (Therese) Watkins of Livingston, MT; sisters-in-law, Mary Gustin of Whitehall, MT; Ruth Melby Ratzlaff of Hettinger, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Kurt Johnson, Tom Melby and Robert Bartz; sister-in-law, Marilyn Bartz; and nephew, Rick Borgmann.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at Bozeman United Methodist Church, 121 S. Willson Avenue. Interment will be held at a later date in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mike’s name to the local Daedalian Chapter for academic and pilot training scholarships for ROTC students at MSU.  Make checks payable to G.S.S.F. and mail c/o Vic Lutes, 4735 Meadow Lane, Bozeman, MT, 59715.

[Printable Version]

Online Condolences for Doyne | Return to Obituaries