The first to arrive and the last to leave, Butch set a model example for FES employees.

He trained those traits, along with good mechanic work, into his crew. Humble, stern and steady were core to Butch’s personality. Talent coupled with his work ethic caused Butch to be revered for his contributions to the company and local operations but the praise never went to his head. Later he became well known for having the most complete and highest quality set of mechanic’s tools in the region. It was commonly noted that Butch more than compensated for his lack of tools at the time he started as a mechanic. Butch understood the importance of timing in agriculture and treated the urgency of repairs as if the customer’s operation were his own. Butch’s ability to work on farm implements made him integral to farms and ranches throughout northeast Montana. Butch was eventually made a partner of the FES Corporation. Butch quickly became a superior mechanic and after returning from active duty he earned the responsibility of managing the shop, a role previously held by his father Cleo. Simultaneous to his time in the Army National Guard, as a teenager with nothing more than a pair of pliers and a crescent wrench Butch went to work for Edwin Swanson at Farm Equipment Sales as a mechanic. Butch was an early and generous contributor to the Northeast Montana Veteran’s Memorial in Fort Peck. Butch was honorably discharged from active duty in December 1969 and completed his reserve obligation in 1971. In 1968 he served two years active duty including 18 months stationed in Germany. He was an expert rifleman and decorated as a sharpshooter. In August 1965, Butch enlisted with the Montana Army National Guard. Butch graduated from Glasgow High School in 1964. From a young age, Butch had strong work ethic, a talent for problem solving and enjoyed working with his hands.

He and his siblings were raised in Glasgow. Born Jto Cleo and Beryl Blatter, Butch was the sixth of seven children. Harley Weston Blatter, known to all as Butch, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2022.

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