Robert E. "Bob" Orr

1936 - 2025

Robert E. "Bob" Orr

August 28, 1936 - August 21, 2025

BILLINGS - Robert E. "Bob" Orr 88, of Billings, passed away on August 21, 2025, after a short stay in Billings Clinic. Bob was born to Alden W. and Pauline M. Orr in Billings on August 28, 1936. He has three younger brothers, Larry (of Charleston, W. Va.), Tom (of Billings, deceased), and Rick (Lorraine) (of Denver, Colo.). Bob married Sherry Lyn McGuire in California on June 7, 1980. Bob was a caring stepfather to Sherry's sons, Mark, Leamon and Steve. Sherry preceded Bob in death on October 30, 2022.

Bob graduated from Billings Senior High in 1954, followed by attending Montana State University where he graduated in Chemical Engineering in 1958. He then spent his entire professional career with Shell Oil. Bob had assignments in Anacortes, Wash.; Martinez, Calif., and Saudia Arabia. He retired from Shell Oil in 1991, returning to Billings to spend the rest of his life in Montana.

Upon retirement, Bob and Sherry pursued many passions. They traveled the world together visiting six continents, missing only Antarctica. Bob also pursued many hobbies including golf, woodworking, fly fishing, and performing magic. Bob joined several local clubs including the Billings Magic Club, Toastmasters, and the Yellowstone Woodturners. He also had several part time jobs to supplement his "fixed income." They included being a landlord for his five rental properties; working at Ace Hardware and Bruco's Inc; spending time delivering new phone books and a particular unpaid position as scrap tin custodian at DuctMasters.

That being said, Bob's true calling was making people laugh – both at themselves but more so at Bob himself. Somewhere in this busy journey, Bob started his countless practical jokes, too numerous to even begin to cover. Often these jokes backfired which made Bob all the more satisfied with the end result! Many will remember his antics at Cobb Field in the "Lazy Boy" section and the time he was escorted out by the police. Or his many appearances in the Billings Gazette, be it playing Cow Pie Bingo, participating in a Spam carving contest, or performing magic at a local school. And of course there were also his many pranks on the golf course! If you ever met Bob, none of these stories would surprise you. One thing for certain, at minimum, Bob made you smile. If he was effective, he made you laugh out loud.

Please read the many accounts of these pranks at www.smithfuneralchapels.com. Share a story of your own. Bob will be smiling along with you!

Family and friends would like to sincerely thank Highgate and its loving staff for all of their care of Bob and Sherry. Bob always said that "He/she is my best caregiver." And if you asked him how his day was, Bob would say with a big grin, "Terrific!" You brought him many smiles!

Cremation has taken place. A small, private family service is being planned to follow the spreading of his ashes in the Montana mountains.