Frank P. “Bob” Robinson, age 96, of Broadus passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.
Frank P. Robinson, better known as Bob, was born April 13, 1918, in Douglas, Wyoming. He was the fifth child of George and Myrtle A. Robinson. The Robinsons lived on a ranch about half way between Douglas and Gillette. His Dad was an avid horseman, as well as cattle rancher so Bob learned to ride at an early age. He and his five sisters and two brothers rode horseback or drove a buggy 3 or 4 miles to school where Bob completed the eighth grade. He told many stories of going on horse roundups when he was quite young. He attended high school for a time in Oshkosh, Nebraska and then in Douglas, Wyoming.
At the age of 15 he went to work on a nearby ranch. George Robinson and his brother Ed ran many horses which all of the family helped to break. Bob said that every time they got a nice bunch broke his Dad would sell them and then run in a new bunch for them to break.
In 1937 the family moved to a ranch near Biddle, MT. Bob helped trail livestock, bringing more horses than they did cattle from the Wyoming ranch to Biddle. He made this trip seven times helping Dorrs, his two uncles, and his Dad trail livestock. They camped out at night.
Since WWII was on, Bob enlisted in the army at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, January 1942. He chose that place to enlist because it was a remount outfit and they had many horses. At one time they had 11,000 horses and 7,000 mules, which the soldiers had to care for and train. Bob earned a rating of Staff Sargent (Technician 3rd Grade) and on his discharge in December, 1945, his expertise was a “Horse Breaker”. At one time, Bob’s captain said that “There’s one man here who isn’t the best bronc rider but is best at keeping a horse from bucking.”
Bob and Virginia Lee Rumph were married on September 15, 1942, and lived in Crawford, Nebraska, for about three years. In 1946 they moved to a part of the LO ranch where Bob worked breaking horses and riding on cattle. Their oldest daughter, Anita, was born in Chadron, Nebraska, in 1944, son Dennis was born in Miles City, MT in 1946. Gordon was born in 1948 and Gwynne in 1950.
They ranched in Powder River and Carter counties from 1950 through 1979 when they moved to a ranchette along the Little Powder. Bob always enjoyed rodeoing and usually found some time to practice, participate, or watch. He was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in January of this year. In his later years, Bob became a woods craftman or as he called it “wood butchering”, making many keepsakes for his family including rocking chairs, toy chests and two buggies from scratch.
He was preceded in death by his three children, Anita, Gordon, Gwynne, his parents, and six of his siblings: Ken, George, Edith Griffin, Bernice Tarver, Ruth Kluck and Ann Robinson. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of nearly 72 years, his son, Dennis (Linda) Robinson, grandchildren Gerri Lynn (Dave) Pillar, Juanita (Zane) Williams, Joy (Dave) Price, Michele (Rob) McCue, Chad (Lisa) Robinson, Nicole (Scott) Wichman, twelve great grandchildren, three great great granddaughters; one sister Betty Lou (Jim) Thulesen of Sheridan, WY.
Montana has lost one of the last, great cowboys. He will be missed by many.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Powder River High School Gymnasium in Broadus. Interment will follow in the Valley View Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River Manor or to the Broadus Cancer Fund.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 24, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday June 25, 2014
Powder River High School Gym
Broadus, Montana 59317
Interment with Full Military Honors
Wednesday June 25, 2014
Valley View Cemetery
Broadus, Montana 59317
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 24, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday June 25, 2014
Powder River High School Gym
Broadus, Montana 59317
Interment with Full Military Honors
Wednesday June 25, 2014
Valley View Cemetery
Broadus, Montana 59317
Share
Wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
Our sincere sympathy for all of the familly.
What a great guy for all of us to loose!
We are so very sorry!
Denni Gatlin says
I loved getting to know Bob in the time he spent with us at the Manor. He had a wonderful sense of humor and every time someone calls me, “Gatlin”, I’ll always think of him. I’m so sorry for your loss of this wonderful man, and I will always cherish the time I got to spend with him. You have an amazing family.
Don & Linda Nybakken says
Our thoughts and condolences to all of you…a great cowboy and nice man with a very nice family….
Julie Emmons Korkow says
I so enjoyed seeing Bob at every horse event I was ever at. He had much wisdom about horses. What a grand life he had. Condolences to all the family, prayers to Virginia and may Bob be doing all the things he loved so much somewhere up in that big Western sky!
Karen Gunther says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Bob’s family, I got to know him a lot in the last few years and what a wonderful man he was , he will be missed, but you have many memories to remember him, he will join my beloved husband now and will they have a good time., Pryaers are with all of you Karen
Veda says
Virginia and family. I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passsing. What great man, fine story teller. and friend he was. My thoutghts and prayers are with you and yours. Veda
James and Molly Lloyd says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Bob Robinson. May he be doing what he loved so much on Earth in heaven now.
Vic and Laura Lee Ullrich says
Our deepest sympathy to Virginia and all of Bob’s family. He was a man of strong convictions, a wealth of knowledge and great integrity. One of the last best cowboys anywhere. He will be remembered and missed by so many.
Pam (Moths) Nisley & Dave Nisley says
Dave and I agree with what has been shared already~ to Bob’s dear family, we care deeply for you, and are here for you in the long haul. Much love, and prayers for comfort in this time.
Bill Canon says
so sorry to hear of Bobs passing.well known cowboy of our county.condolences to the family.
Deb (Moths) Schmeling says
Dear Robinson Family,
I have many memories of “Uncle Bob” when we were growing up. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God wrap His comforting arms around each of you.
Bernice Rolfson says
My prayers are with all of you. Bob was truly a wonderful man. I always enjoyed his visits to our office when he would come in to insure a horse. He would always have a story to share with us which we always enjoyed. You two have had a wonderful life together you have shared a lot of losses but you still continued to move on with your lives and weather the storm. I am sure God helped you with these losses. May God Bless all of you at this difficult time in your lives.
Jim and Sue Sampson says
Our kids affectionately called him “old Bob” and enjoyed every minute they spent with him. What a wonderful neighbor and friend. He had the best horses, the best sense of humor and the worst luck at programming a VCR.
Darold & Sylvia Zimmer says
One of the most wonderful families in the world. Loved growing up as neighbors as a child and learning horsemanship and sharing brandings with them. With so much respect, Darold and I wish the family solitude in all their beautiful memories. Prayers of peace be with you Virginia and Dennis and all the younger ones…
Cal & Virginia Oraw says
Dennis, just read of your Dad’s death . Our prayers are with you as you mourn and celebrate your Dad’s life. Cal and Virginia
Joe and Marisa says
Our Sympathy to the passing of your Father, Dennis, as well to your Mom and extended families!~!
Bruce Klapmeier says
Virginia and family, So sorry to hear of Bobs passing. The world’s lost a true Cowboy!
I’m honored to have known and been a friend of Bob’s.
I think of the time he called and wanted to talk to the girls. He had a couple of “tame” kittens for them. When we went to get them he said they’re in the horse barn and said here you’ll need these handing me a pair of heavy leather gloves!! We still laugh about those “tame” kittens. Awesome guy with a great sense of humor.
ArLynn and Walter Archer says
To the Bob Robinson family,
The world lost a ‘Gentleman Cowboy’ with Bob’s passing.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family, Virginia, Dennis and all the grandchildren.
Teresa Geib Bacon says
Dear Virginia, Dennis, Linda and family, I was so sorry when Mom called to hear this. I remember as a kid coming o the Ranch w Mom and Brad and having the BEST time! I remember curtains flowing in the breeze upstairs, feeding lambs . Then when my kids were sm, Mom put them in the Rodeo and Bob was always so kind to them. One thing for sure, the Cowboy rode home. Our prayers are with you all.
Mom felt so bad she was unable to come for the Services.
Teresa
Desiree Klein Johnson
J.D. Klein
Elaine Geib
Roberta Morgan Rickman says
Dennis, Linda & family,
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Thinking of you.
‘Bird’
Cal & Virginia Oraw says
You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Jackie Lamach CNA says
To Bob’s wife and family,
It was a joy to take care of Bob while he resided at the Powder River Nursing Home. He was an inspiration to me that at any age life is a new day and dreams can still be full-filled even when your 96 years old. I believed Bob lived his life this way and He’s rounding up horses and doing what he loved in The Great Divide Beyond. Condolences To You All in the days ahead.
Jackie Lamach CNA
J Johnson says
Dear family of Frank P. “Bob” Robinson – I am sorry to hear of your loss. May the Creator give you peace through his sure promise to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). Cherish all the happy memories of Mr. Robinson and I hope you are consoled by Bible promises (John 17:3).