Robert Montgomery; Manager of Fish and Game Department

Robert D. Montgomery, 82, veteran regional manager of the California Department of Fish and Game, has died. He was 82.

Montgomery, who managed two of the state’s five conservation regions over three decades, died Wednesday at his home in Lake San Marcos, Calif., of lung cancer.

When the state agency was reorganized in 1952, Montgomery was recruited to handle the Northern California region, based in Sacramento. He became responsible for protection of Feather River fisheries and creating a hatchery to mitigate the impact of Oroville Dam.

In 1969, Montgomery was transferred to the state’s largest region, headquartered in Long Beach, where he remained until his retirement.

He was active in Boy Scout activities for 47 years and earned the organization’s Silver Beaver Award.

Montgomery received a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management and forestry at the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in wildlife conservation at the University of Maine. He served in the Army during World War II, earning the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He worked for the Michigan Department of Conservation and was resident manager of the Erie Shooting and Fishing Club of Michigan before coming to California.

Montgomery is survived by three sons, Robert, Douglas and Stephen.

A memorial reception is scheduled today from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Aviara Club in Carlsbad.

The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the California Wildlife Foundation or to the Golden Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America.