Robert Bob Nyquist

Visitation:Friday, October 10, 2003 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Everson Funeral Home in Williston, ND. Friday, October 10, 2003 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Everson-Clayton-Stevenson Chapel in Culbertson

Funeral Services: Saturday, October 11, 2003 at 1 p.m. at the Bainville School Gym

Interment: Will be in the South Froid Cemetery

Robert (Bob) Nyquist, a longtime Bainville, Montana, rancher, passed away at his home on Friday , Oct. 3, 2003, of natural causes. He was 77.

Bob was born Dec. 12, 1925, in Froid, Montana, the second of Richard T. and Lydia (Baker) Nyquist's three sons. He grew up on the farm east of Froid and attended Hammond School. At Froid High School, he was a standout football player, a field event athlete in track and valedictorian of the Class of 1944.

He joined the Army in 1944 and served in Pacific Theatre of Operations during World War II. He was with the first wave of occupation troops in Japan. After his discharge in 1946, he began ranching east of Bainville.

On Nov. 16, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Miriam Ryder, the daughter of Arthur and Sus Ryder of Froid. They spent their lives building a Hereford herd on the ranch, yet found time for community service. Both were active in the Democratic Party. Bob served on the Roosevelt County Fair Board, the Soil Conservation Service and the Weed Control Board. They enjoyed square dancing during their younger years.

Bob and Ruth supported many youth activities, particularly 4-H and also brought several inner-city Chicago children to their ranch through the Fresh Air program. Nieces and nephews who were fortunate also got to spend time at the ranch, where they benefited in early years from Bob's limitless patience and in later years from his sound, but never unsolicited, advice. His ready smile and joy for life were contagious.

Bob and Ruth supported their communities of Bainville and Froid, where many organizations and individuals benefited from their quiet generosity. Their kindness and unwavering devotion to each other were examples to others. Ruth died Oct. 13, 1999.

Bob is survived by his two brothers, Richard (Doc) Nyquist of Royal Oak, Mich., and Thomas and Corinne Nyquist of New Paltz, N.Y.; two special cousins, Jim Nyquist of St. Paul, Minn., and Carter Nyquist of Glendale, Ariz.; a sister-in-law, Edith Phair of Froid; a brother-in-law, Jim Phair of Billings; nieces and nephews, Richard Nyquist Jr. of Clawson, Mich., Robert A. Nyquist of Clarkston, Mich., Julie Nyquist of Los Angeles; Lynn Nyquist of Rhinebeck, N.Y., Jon Nyquist of Fort Washington, Penn., Romain Ryder of Froid, Margie Volk of Albuquerque, Ivell Halseide of Culbertson, Dee Ann Turck of Havre; Mat Nyquist of Salem, Ore., Pete Nyquist of Glasgow, Sue Nyquist of Opheim, John R. Nyquist of Bainville, Beth Simeneuk of Rockglen, Sask., Kathy Barnard of Seattle; Jamie Hurly of Flaxville, Janet Phair Powers of Sparks, Nev., and Ruth Mason of Kansas City, Mo., and many other cousins, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

His funeral will be at 1 p.m. (MDT) Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Bainville School gym. The Rev. Val Colenso will officiate and interment will be in the South Froid Cemetery. Friends may call at the Everson Funeral Home of Williston Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. (CDT), at the Everson-Clayton-Stevenson Chapel in Culbertson from 2 until 7 p.m. (MDT). There will be a viewing at the Bainville gym for the hour preceding the service.

Memorials may be directed to any local community organization or church of your choice.