Obituary - Robert L. 'Bob' Ross

Robert L. "Bob" Ross, age 98, died August 18, 2019, "at home" at Bozeman Lodge in Bozeman, MT, with family by his side.

Cremation has taken place.

Born July 11, 1921, in Roundup, Montana, to Joseph A. Ross and Elsie C. Hogan, Bob was the sixth of seven children. Bob was raised in the Bull Mountains of Musselshell County. He attended a one-room rural school, then in Musselshell, and graduated from Billings High School.

Bob was a proud U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. He fought and was wounded in France. His many decorations include Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, and, in 2015, the French Legion of Merit.

While living in Hollywood, CA, before being discharged from the Army, Bob met Nancy Gene Danielson. They married in Los Vegas, NV, June 1, 1946. They had three children: Judy, Tim and JoAnn. Nancy was Bob's partner in all his endeavors until her death in 2012 after 66 years of marriage.

In 2013 Bob was able to travel with other veterans on a Big Sky Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to visit the WWII Memorial. Although Bob has missed Nancy terribly, the trip reenergized his life. 

In 1947, Bob and Nancy left California to return to Montana. Bob graduated from Montana State College in 1949 in range management. While at MSC, he was active in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, continuing active support for 50-plus years as an alumnus. In 1949 he became a member of the Society for Range Management.

Following college Bob worked for the Soil Conservation Service from 1949-1977, starting in Choteau, moving to Whitehall in 1951 and to Bozeman in 1965. While in Whitehall, he worked with FFA and 4-H youth in addition to local farmers and ranchers. He and Nancy were active in Whitehall Saddle Club, Boy Scouts and many others. Bob joined Rotary and remained active for 50-plus years. The 4-Way Test became a cornerstone for his everyday life. Always aiming to improve himself, he joined Toastmasters in Bozeman.

In 1954, Bob became range conservationist for the western one-third of Montana and in 1965, state range conservationist. He taught sound range management principles and practices at every opportunity through development of conservation plans with ranchers, Society for Range Management activities, his "Range Tips" column, MT Youth Range Camp, Ag Lenders Range Schools and Montana Range Days, to name only a few. Bob was instrumental in bluebunch wheatgrass being designated as Montana's state grass.  

After Bob's retirement from SCS in 1978, he continued to be active in range management organizations, education, and causes. He worked tirelessly for years to bring attention to severe overgrazing in Yellowstone National Park resulting from overpopulation of bison, elk and big horn sheep. Bob and Nancy enjoyed their horses, especially taking trail rides and pack trips. He did excellent leather tooling. In retirement he had time to pursue interests in genealogy, senior writing club, collecting books on Montana and western history, collecting sad irons, barbed wire, and other western artifacts. Many people will remember his slide show presentations and books of verse on "Muddled Meanderings in an Outhouse." Bob participated in Cowboy Poetry gatherings across the western U.S. and Canada. He was inducted into the Cowboy Poets Hall of Fame in 1989.

Bob and Nancy enjoyed traveling. They crisscrossed the US and western Canada for meetings and special events and to visit family and friends. Trips to Scotland to investigate family roots, Europe for Military reunions, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand were highlights.  

Bob was a mentor and role model to many in his work and his personal life. He and Nancy made countless people welcome in their home or at their cabin. Bob was a favorite with his grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews. Time spent with family and friends was very important to him. A familiar voice on the phone, a note in the mail box, or a knock on the door was always a welcome event for him. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Lawrence, Joe, Jim, Hal and sister, Nellie, and their spouses; and his wife, Nancy.

He is survived by one brother, Frank (Nadine) Ross of Bozeman; daughters, Judy (Lynn) Rominger of Havre, MT, Jo Austin of Spokane, WA, and son, Tim (Karin) Ross of Oakley, UT; grandchildren, Rebecca Ross, Devin Ross, Michael Austin, Elizabeth Williamson, Skylar Tritt, Andrea Fiore, and Alexa Nafisi, and great grandchildren, Austin, Avery, Guss, Gunner, Hunter, and C.J.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Home in Bozeman, 113 S. Willson Ave; reception to follow at Bozeman United Methodist Church, 121 S. Willson Ave.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials in support of Bob's passion for range conservation may be sent to: Montana Range Days, c/o Gary Olsen, Box 465, Harlowton, MT 59036; or in support of the Ranch Management Program: MSU Alumni Foundation, 1501 S. 11th Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715; or SRM Endowment Fund online or at 810 E. 10th St., Lawrence, Kansas 66044; or the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Delta Fund, 10101 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64153; or to the charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be sent to PO Box 663, Havre, MT 59501. 

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service, http://www.dokkennelson.com .