Robert Tope, 98, of Moorcroft, died Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette as a result of a car accident.

Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, SD. Graveside rites will be held on Friday, May 11th at 10am at Moore Hill Cemetery near Hulett, Wyoming, Following the burial a celebration of his life will be held at 12:30 P.M. at the Community Center in Moorcroft, Wyoming.


Robert was born on August 2nd 1913 in Belle Fourche, SD to Herbert Edward Tope and Asenath Gertrude "Hall" Tope. Robert had three younger sisters; Emmajean, Fidelia and Rosemary. Robert grew up on the family ranch near Colony, Wyoming. In his early years he worked for neighboring ranches, doing all types of ranch work. He was especially good with horses. He raised and trained the horses that his sisters used in their trick-riding careers, and his love of horses was with him until his death.

On December 28, 1944 he married Mildred Shepherd in Broadus, Montana. To this union, three sons were born. Robert Joe, Larry and Jay.


Robert "Bob" and Mildred moved to their ranch near Moorcroft in 1949, and continued to reside there until the present day. Bob was active in running the ranch until the age of 95, and was still riding and helping work and move cattle on his horse "Slim" until he was 97 years old. In recent years he was nominated for the "Tri-State Regions Oldest Working Cowboy" and received the runner-up award that year. He truly enjoyed the Cowboy way of life.


He is survived by his wife Mildred; sister Rosemary Seymour; sons, Robert (Belinda) Tope, Jay (Wilma) Tope, 8 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Emmajean Mitchell and Fidelia Gilger, and his son Larry.


A memorial has been established to the Moore Hill Cemetery Board, Hulett Wyoming.