Robert Frank Klinkosh

Robert Frank Klinkosh, 82, died January 17, from ALS.

Bob was born September 22, 1943, in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Frank and Grace Burton Klinkosh, joining sister Francis; and followed by brother Bill. Bob was a proud member of the Crow Tribe and grew up on the reservation. Growing up on the family ranch in Montana, Bobby was happiest outside, watching the turd rollers and riding his ponies. His favorite childhood stories were, collecting eggs, family gatherings and 4th of July picnics in the Bighorn Mountains. When Bob was 8 he began working for Chas and Arlene Kane trailing cattle up the mountains, tied to his saddle so if he took a nap he would stay on. He loved working cattle on the mountain and had many stories about the horses, men and mountain that made up his youth. He continued to work for the Kane and Kerns ranches as a cowboy through high school.

Bob's high school days were spent working on the ranch, car racing with his friends, and maybe a party or two. Bob was a speed enthusiast and when he wasn't outrunning the highway patrol on the back roads he was riding along with them, Bob truly did not know a stranger. Bob graduated from Tongue River High School, in 1961, where he played basketball and football, cleared the high jump, led the band as drum major, and stole the spotlight on stage - most memorably as Prince Charming in Snow White.

After high school Bob worked at the gas station in Ranchester and lived with Francis. He spent many an evening working on cars with the boys after hours at Larry Alden's Texaco Station on Coffeen Avenue. As a child, Bob dreamed of flying through trees wearing a cape and as soon as he could he earned his private pilot's license. Some of his happiest hours were spent in the sky flying with his instructor and lifelong friend, Tom Malyurek. Flying brought him freedom from ground speed restrictions, a love of clouds from every angle and many laughs and stories.

In 1964 Bob was drafted into the National Guard, where he learned surveying and drill sergeant skills both of which he used throughout his life. He then attended GM Mechanic School in Denver. Bob loved fast cars with big engines and created his "little black Buick" during this time. It would go 135mph on Wyoming's wide open highways even beating a friend in a plane to Denver. Bob worked as a mechanic at Riley's, surveyed for the Highway Department helping build many of the highways in Wyoming. He also bartended at the Mint for Bud Wolfe and at the Sheridan Inn, adding Ghost stories to his cache.

On September 12, 1970, Bob married Tina Juve, whom he had met while she was in Sheridan on spring break from college. Bob and Tina enjoyed 10 years of snowmobiling, Elks dances, Super Cub flights, WYO Rodeos, brandings, and chasing nieces and nephews before starting a family of their own with the birth of Mandy and then Shane. Bob was a present and stable father who provided for his family while teaching his children critical thinking and self-reliance. He "adopted" many of their friends, fixing cars, leading a hand and teasing anyone who came around. He was a hero with many faces. To support his family Bob operated equipment for Decker Coal until his retirement. If it was big, loud, yellow, and involved moving dirt, Bob was an expert. He and Tina then owned and operated Scotchman Home Center until 2012.

In 2008, Bob stepped into what was maybe his favorite role: Papa. He was hands-on, not afraid to insist on math practice, handwriting drills, or a little discipline; all delivered with love. He told his grandchildren the same stories he told his children inspiring a love of the outdoors and western lifestyle in all of them. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and will carry on Bob's legacy through their love of fast cars and machinery, horses and the sky, their athletic ability, the sparkle in their eye, for some their frizzy blond hair, their aim with horse turds, and occasionally their light pole climbing skills.

Bob was known for his dry wit, perfectly timed one-liners, and ability to make people laugh when they least expected it. He loved homemade food, rodeos, dancing, and fixing things - especially when nobody asked but clearly needed help. ALS is a hard and relentless disease that took far too much, but it did not take his humor, his values, or the impact he has on his family and friends. We are grateful to the people ALS brought into our lives and the new "friends" Bob made along the way, although with Bob you did not stay "friends" long he made sure you became family.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Grace Klinkosh his siblings Francis Legerski and Bill Klinkosh, and brother in-law John Legerski. He is survived by his wife who kept him in line (mostly) for 55 years Tina Klinkosh; his children Mandy (Max) Morris and Shane (Ashley) Klinkosh; his grandchildren-Monty, Helen, and Ike Morris, and Hunter and Holden Klinkosh, sister in-law Patti Klinkosh and his nieces and nephews, whom he adored and was endlessly proud of.

A funeral service followed by reception will be Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:00 am at the United Methodist Church. Memorial may be made to CHAPS Equine Assisted Therapies.

See you in the funnies.

Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.