In loving memory of Robert (Bob) Elroy Rusdal. In the early hours of October 15, 2023, Robert passed away at the Rosebud County Healthcare Center. Thank you to the nurses at Rosebud County Healthcare Center for your specialized care!
Bob was born to Edith and Russell Rusdal on May 21, 1941, in Halstad, Minnessota. Bob had an older sister, Betty Litzinger and four step siblings: Janet, Ruby, Mavis, and Alan Goshinka.
As a child, Bob spent every summer helping on the farm with his Uncle Carl and Aunt Inez Nervig. His father, Russell worked for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, which fascinated Bob. Russell had even taught him how to climb telephone poles!
When Bob was around 7 or 8 years old, the Rusdal family packed up and moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Here Bob went to school and participated in hockey (Defense) and football (Halfback), and track. As well as being a part of the Letterman’s club. At the time, his teams’ names were the Central Redskins. He preferred the number 21. Bob graduated high school in 1960.
Bob married Naomi Koppang on June 26, 1965. Together, they had three sons. When the two met, bob was working on road construction in Williston, North Dakota. The two were married 58 years.
Bob worked for the BNSF Railroad until retirement in 1994. He started his career in Laurel, MT installing railroad ties and ended in the communication department.
Bob and Naomi loved to travel. Together, they wore the road out! They made a point of stopping in small towns for meals. There, Bob could sit and visit with the locals for hours. It didn’t matter if he knew you or not, he appreciated everyone. He cheered for the Dogies, Bison, and enjoyed talking about any sport with anyone, all the time. He was partial to his trike. It went wherever he went. We cannot begin to count the miles he rode. He was known as “Bicycle Bob” by many.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi; his three sons, Jerome, Michael, and Timothy (Christy); grandchildren: Sierra (Kyle) Chambers, Sidney, Casey, Leah and Jake Rusdal; nephews Rodney (Barb), David (Lynn), Gary (Shelly), Michael (Michelle); niece, Bonnie (Jim) Ford; stepsisters, Ruby Fronk and Janet Bjornstad.
GO Bison! GO Dogies!
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday November 20, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday November 21, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Private Family
Wednesday November 22, 2023
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday November 20, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday November 21, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Private Family
Wednesday November 22, 2023
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Steve Fourtner says
Sorry to hear about Bob’s Passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Terri Brown says
Naomi, I am saddened to hear that Bob passed. I enjoyed our visits at the nursing home. May he rest in peace.
Terri
Barb Litzinger says
Naomi and family:
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time. We have such great memories of you and Bobs visits to Grand Forks.
Heaven got another angel.
Rod and Barb Litzinger
Connie Brown says
Naomi and family,
Prayers for your family as Bob has taken his heavenly walk! Hold tight to the memories, may God grant you peace.
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences Naomi and family. Many fond memories of Bob and Dave.
Deb Jerrel says
Jerome and family… so sorry for your loss💔
Sharon Borla says
Naomi & Family, I am very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gil and Dynella says
Naomi and family; May you find comfort in knowing that Bob is at peace and God will provide for your peace also.
Jennie Hilderman says
Jerome & Naomi-so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.
Carol Kroll says
Naomi, Jerome, Tim, Mike
Condolences to all of you. You are in our prayers. We pray for peace and comfort for all of you. Bob will surely be missed by many. We have many fond memories of Bob and his uniqueness.
Love from the David and Carol Kroll family
Teryl Tatro says
Naomi and family, Wade and I extend our deepest sympathies to you all during this sad time. We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Bob can now watch all of the Bison games in a beautiful place! GO BISON!!!
David Litzinger says
David Litzinger says
Naomi and family, Lynn and I are sending our condolences
for your loss. I have fond memories of Uncle Robert ‘s
Phone calls when the Bison and the Sioux played football.
Butch Schulenberg says
🙏 Prayers and Hugs to You and the Family Naomi
Bob and I were good Friends and I will miss our bullshit session’s. Have great stories of Bob. We had lots of laughs 😃
Joby Parker says
Naomi and family,
I’m so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I can still see him riding his bike around town. What a happy person he was. His greatest joy was having a good talk with
everyone!! Love and hugs to you Naomi and the boys!
Bill and Joby Parker
Beth Leinwand says
So sad to read about Bob’s passing. He was a kind soul, and spent time with my father often.
Rest in Peace
Ken Treib says
Deepest condolences Jerome. Prayers for your mom and your family.
Holly Negaard says
So
Holly Negaard says
Naomi and boys, So sorry to hear about Bob. I always enjoyed visiting with him. Prayers for all of you through this time.
Larry Wayne Johnson says
Dear Naomi and family,
My sincerest condolences in the passing of Bob. I had the pleasure of working with him for
over 30 years in the Communication department at BN. He was a good worker and strong as a bull. He would do
anything for anybody. He was a very special person who will be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. Larry Johnson