Robert Wooley

Robert Lee Wooley, of Dillon, Montana passed away in his home on December 16, 2023, with his wife by his side and family nearby. He was the son of Clair and Louise Wooley, born on February 26, 1944, in Newark, NJ. Robert had an equal love for both the East and West of the United States. In the East he appreciated Shagbark Hickory, Red Oak, and White Oak trees. He had a sweet tooth and relished making maple syrup. In the West he appreciated Sagebrush, Ponderosa Pines, and the wilderness of Montana. After graduating from college, he proudly served as an officer in the US Navy and was stationed on an anti-submarine destroyer. It was in the Navy where he met a Navy nurse whom he later married and called his "beautiful sweetheart." Robert was very active and enjoyed walking, hiking, and bike riding.

Robert worked in four national forests, took great pride in the wilderness, and often reflected on the knowledge he said it game him. He retired from the National Forest Service in 2009. In his retirement he enjoyed spending time with his family, writing, birding, and studying geology as well as other sciences. He wrote 10 books including seven novels and two non-fictions. He counted birds for Cornell University, allowing him to "give back to the forest" that he loved so much.

Robert is survived by his wife Barbara Wooley, son Dale Wooley, daughter Lisa Lokan, sister Marge Wooley, son-in-law Josh Lokan, and four grandchildren, Collen, Reed, Zavier, and Cora Lokan.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 30th, 2024, at 11:30 AM at the Brundage Funeral Home in Dillon, Montana.