Arthur Robinson

Arthur Robert Robinson, born September 4, 1932 in Red Lodge Montana, entered into Rest on October 12, 2016 in Dillon Montana surrounded by family and friends. Art grew up working on the family ranch on Elbow Creek before moving to Bozeman in 1950 to work on the Goldstein Ranch for 7 years, then cowboyed at the Wytana Ranch in Manhattan 6 years before going to the Carroll Ranch in the Big Hole in 1963. He worked for Steve Mahaffey breaking horses and feeding with a six horse team, the life he loved. That ranch sold and in 1973 he landed at the Snowline Grazing Association, 60,000 acres of mountains, valleys, and meadows from Lima to the Idaho line. In 2006 Art retired to his cabin up Grasshopper Creek, with a small heard of his own breed of 'Tear-and-Torn' cattle and was always on hand to help the neighbours gather and brand. His favourite place was in the saddle. He said what made him the best cowboy he could be was learning how cows think. Art had some rodeo time on bulls and broncs, and team roped into his 70s, commercials for Pabst beer and parts in Marlboro ads and the movie Return to Lonesome Dove. In 2006 he returned to the Christian fellowship he knew in his parents home and after 10 years decided he wanted it for himself, saying, “I didn’t think I could be forgiven for all my past”. He said, “I used to have #1-Cows, #2-Friends, #3-Ladies, now it’s #1-God, #2-Family, #3-Cows.” Art is survived by his children with Lucille Heeb: Steve and Kathleen (Ott) Robinson, their son, Dayne Arthur and partner, Lora Weitzel of Butte Mt, Cynde Lokken of Olympia Wa, her son, Keith and Lacey (Leen) Lokken and great granddaughter, London of Austin, Tx, Debbie Chavez of Fallbrook, Ca, her children, Zane and Zach of Dallas, Tx, and Zalena of Fallbrook, CA. His children with Ruth Nelson: Jeff and Jaime (Watkins) Robinson of Whitehall, Mt, their children: Brad and Kelsey (Robinson) Quast of Rexburg, Id, Logan Robinson of Idaho Falls, Id, Faith Harlicker of Owatonna, Mn; and Mike Robinson of Three Forks, Mt; adopted son: Adam Boyer of Mandan, ND; and his sisters, Annie Hoskins and Eliza and her husband Larry Hinderager of Blackfoot, Id. Art will be remembered for his gentleness, kindness, listening ear and genuine smile. A storyteller from the family homesteading in the 1800’s, riding horseback to school, and Indians to gun slinging fights. Art was a true American cowboy with a love for his horses and cattle, gathering in the high rugged mountains.