Robert Arvil "Bob" Pewitt

VICTOR - Robert Arvil Pewitt, Jr. died March 12, 2016 at the Discovery Care Center in Hamilton, Montana where he had resided the past several years after a decline in his health.

Born July 10, 1930 in Malta, Phillips County, Montana to Robert A. and Katherine ‘Katie’ (Hartmann) Pewitt he was welcomed home by a sister, Katherine Lovenia.  Later a sister, Roberta, was born but died in infancy.  Living at Joe Hartmann’s ranch near Zortman, Montana, he began his love of a cowboy way of life.

Beginning in the 1930’s, during the depression, in search of work, the family moved to Chicago, Los Angeles, back to Montana, Chicago then to Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa where he graduated from high school in 1948.  During his school years at Wapello he had a strong reputation of being an excellent athlete in football, wrestling and track, where he still holds the school record for the 440 yard dash.  After high school he attended Parson’s College in Fairfield, Iowa and continued his passion for competitive sports.  His love for football never changed as every Saturday in the fall he would lock himself in his home and watch every college football game, especially Notre Dame.

His love for the West drew him back to Montana State University in Bozeman for the R.O.T.C. program.  He enlisted in the Army where he served in a tank battalion in Germany.  After his service to his country, he returned to Hamilton, Montana, where his parents were living. While fighting forest fires in the area southeast of Hamilton, a group of jumpers went in to a bar for refreshments and there he lost his heart to the blonde bartender.  Kaaren Joy Larson and Bob were married in Spokane, Washington on August 4, 1962.  Tragically in April of 1964, she was killed in a farm accident while the two were working together at their acreage south of Hamilton.  Bob never remarried or left the Bitterroot Valley.

He was a devoted member of St. Francis Catholic Church.  He served many years helping at the Rodeo in Hamilton and he was a long time member of the Bitterroot Back Country Horsemen.  Bob was also a gracious host to many Iowa boys who enjoyed being a cowboy for a few weeks.  Many school friends and their sons have memories of spending time with Bob.

Bob is survived by his sister, Katherine and her husband Keith Carey of Columbus Junction, Iowa and their children Twyla (Dan) Peters, Jeff (Nancy), Bill (Debby) of Columbus Junction, Iowa and Patti (Fred) Gerling of Winfield, Iowa.  A brother-in-law, Roy (Donna) Larson of Spokane, Washington and their sons Kass and Kent and Kaaren’s nieces, Robin and Georgia Clute of Hamilton, Montana, Heidi (Mike) Kandilas of Helena, Montana and Inga & Erika Clute of Spokane, Washington.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, an infant sister, his parents-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Larson and his sister & brother-in-law, George & Bubbles Clute, his step-mother Isadene Drake Pewitt and a special step-sister Maxine Linendoll, many beloved dogs and faithful horses.

His funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 2 at St. Francis Catholic Church, 411 South Fifth Street, Hamilton, Montana at 11:00 a.m.  Inurnment will follow a luncheon at the church with military rites at the Hamilton Riverview Cemetery.  Memorials can be made to the Ravalli County Fair Rodeo or the Wapello High School Athletic Department.

His family would like to also express their appreciation for his loving care by the staff of Discovery Care Center and the caring neighbors and friends who through the years have been like family to him.