ichard Elijah (Chase) Grandbois

Richard Elijah (Chase) Grandbois, Wus-Da-Wan, "Bobtail Bear," passed on to the other side to join his Lord and savior and relations suddenly at 25 years old on May 30, 2014, in Tucson, Arizona. He was born on Aug. 26, 1988, to Cheryl Ann Cheryl (Gros Ventre/Mandan) and Raymond Grandbois (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) in Tucson, Arizona. Richard was an enrolled Mandan member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, ND.

He was intelligent, devoted to his Catholic religion, tenacious in his interests, had a wry wit and enjoyed adventure.  As a young boy he attended and participated in Sundance and sweat ceremonies with his mother.  In 1993, his Grandpa Elmer Main gave him his Gros Ventre name, Bobtail Bear, during his Nana Marie's memorial feed and give-away. His Nana Marie fondly gave him the nickname of "Little Nots".

Deeply religious as a child, Richard read from his Bible every day and attended Catholic Mass on a daily basis. At the age of 7, Richard told people he wanted to be a priest in the Army. Later he said he wanted to be a general.  He and his cousin Charles Rider were partners during summer camps in the canyon pretending to be soldiers.

  Richard attended St. John's Parochial School in Tucson, where he met his best friend - brother Jonathan Gamez.  In 2001, at age 12, he moved to North Dakota when his mother passed away. He lived in Belcourt with his father Raymond Grandbois, Gayle Peltier and his two step-sisters Kesha and JaNae until 2003 when they all moved to Aberdeen S.D. where he graduated from Roncalli Catholic High School. During these summer and holiday years, he would spend time with his sister, Marie Chase, his Natie Jan and Uncle Reuben in Old Pascua Yaqui Village in Tucson. Jonathan spent most of those days of summer with Richard and the family adopted him. After high school, Richard went on to Franciscan University (FU as he would say) of Steubenville, Ohio, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy; Humanities and Catholic Culture, Cum Laude and subsequently studied Catholic doctrine and French at the University Institut Catholique, Paris, France. Thereafter (2012-2013) he would return back to Arizona staying with his Tucson family.

Richard and his mother, Cheryl, shared a love for the outdoors and together often camped, hiked, roller-bladed and skied. Both were members of the Boy Scouts of America. She was his co-pack leader. In high school he earned his Eagle Scout status, His project was building a case for the church music sheets. Richard was dedicated to having a healthy body, liked to eat well and exercised regularly, many days walking and biking for miles. After his Uncle Reuben gave him the video "Pumping Iron" featuring Arnold Swartzenager, he started lifting weights and continued until his passing.

  As a child and adult, Richard traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Mexico. He loved movies, philosophy, spicy food and a good cigar.  Richard would often quote, from a favorite movie, Casablanca, "We'll always have Paris."

He was preceded in death by his mother, Cheryl Ann Chase, March 7, 2001.

Richard is survived by his father, Raymond Grandbois/Gayle Peltier; step-sisters, Kesha Peltier, JaNae Peltier and Amy Peltier; and step-brother Tyson Peltier of Aberdeen S.D .; sister, Nikki Grandbois-Miller, Bruce Miller of Loveland Colorado; brother, Shane/Laura Grandbois of Milwaukee Wisconsin, aunt, Janice Chase "Natie"/Uncle Reuben Howard; and his sister-cousin, Marie Michel Chase, Patricia Cerna, adopted aunt and confirmation mother; Denise Beine, adopted aunt; and Millyanne Moreno-Scott adopted aunt, all of Tucson, Arizona. He also had numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins and friends throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. All us that knew and love Richard will deeply miss him. He is finally at peace having been reunited with his beloved mother and released from the deep pain he carried in his heart since her death.

Richard will be laid to rest next to his mother on their home reservation, Fort Belknap, Montana.

Wake and rosary services will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2014, at St. Paul Mission Rec Center in Hays.  The wake will continue until his funeral service, which will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2014, at St. Paul Mission Church with Father Joseph Retzel, SJ, officiating. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements, and you can sign Richard's online guestbook on his page at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

The family of Richard Elijah would like to express our sincere thanks for the many kindnesses evidenced in thought, word, and deed, and for your attendance at this service. God bless.