George William "Shorty" Huber

Written by his daughter, Gretchen Olheiser

Nestled among the green shrubbery at the corner where Madison Avenue crosses Euclid Avenue in Helena, there stands a white cross. Like every other of these markers, there is a story attached, unseen, but respected by those who remember.

This cross marks where my dad was killed while riding his bicycle [at the age of 85] to the grocery store. This terrible and painful accident brought an end to his riding and to his life.

Shorty was born and raised in Helena. His family home was located at 512 North Park Avenue where the Edward Jones Investments parking lot now stands.

He attended Hawthorne and Helena High Schools before embarking on his university studies at MSU [now the U of M] in Missoula. Summer quarters were enjoyed driving a tour bus in Yellowstone National Park.

Sports and physical activity were always important to Shorty. When his grown daughter observed that he did sit ups and other exercises each morning, she asked him when he started being so active. He replied, "In the first grade when I discovered that I was smaller than everyone else."

Indeed, he was shorter than most, standing at a bit over 5'2" at the time of his death. His stature did not stop him from holding the state broad jump [now called the long jump] record at 22' for the MSU Grizzlies, or from starring as a guard for the Griz varsity basketball team.

In 1976, Shorty and his grandson rode their bicycles from Helena to Washington, D.C. in celebration of this nation's 200th birthday. Many people followed their journey as a local radio station carried a daily telephoned report from the traveling duo.

Shorty enjoyed life. He enjoyed the people in his life. He had fun in just about everything he did.

November 22, 1909 -

March 9, 1992