"Bob" Bates, 81, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Wednesday, March 1st at Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Bob and his twin brother, Ron, were born at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin to Edwin and Avis (Laatsch) Bates on August 30th, 1935. Bob, Ron and older brother, Ed, grew up on dairy farms around the Milwaukee area. They loved farming and attended a one room country school. Bob fondly remembered his first life adventure when his teacher took the three 8th grade graduating students by train to Chicago to see a stage play. While their dad worked in town at Harley Davidson and later Westbend Electric, mom and the boys milked cows and tended the farm.

In 1956, Bob married Jenny Weimann and they were blessed with two sons, Robert, Jr born in 1956 and Jim born in 1960. He enjoyed many entrepreneurial opportunities during his lifetime which led him to reside in Minneapolis, MN, Oakland, CA, Altoona, IA, Carlsbad, CA and ultimately Spearfish. Bob met and married Linda (Robertson) Bates in 1986 in San Diego. Linda's sons, Jeff and Chris joined the family and Bob's four sons were a source of pride and joy throughout his life. In 1988, Bob and Linda moved to Spearfish where he was a business owner and general contractor until retirement.

Bob loved to travel and business took him around the USA, Europe and Asia. He served on YWAM Mission Builder trips to England and Switzerland, and whenever life got a little boring in Spearfish, he would take off (with or without Linda!) to visit the kids and grandchildren. In recent years, activities took place closer to home and he imminently enjoyed his morning coffee and drive around town to "check the perimeters", always joking about keeping Spearfish orderly and safe! He was fascinated by vehicles and rolling stock, entertaining himself with u-tube videos of classic and new cars, trucks, and farm and construction equipment. He profoundly loved his southern gospel music and was generally tuned in to FOX News.

Blessed to have shared Bob's life are his wife, Linda of Spearfish, son Bob (Cheryl) of North Aurora, IL; son Jim (Susan) of Duvall, WA; stepsons Jeff, Spearfish and Chris (Erin) of Carlsbad, CA. Brothers Ed, Tucson, AZ and Ron (Charlie) of Minneapolis, MN. Grandchildren, Kris, Amanda, Cliff, Rob, Kenny, Brandee, Kellen, Hudson and Henley. Great-grandchildren Sidney, Bentlee and Kaylen and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Avis and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Ed and Bobbie Rupel.

The family will be having a celebration of Bob's life at 10:30am, on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Countryside Church, 625 Woodland Drive in Spearfish.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Countryside Community Church.