Robert Eugene Patterson Jr.

Robert Eugene Patterson Jr., 69, of Shelby, MT, passed away on April 11 after complications with Covid and recent issues with diabetes. Robert, or Bob (aka Oly, Junior), was born on March 12, 1954 to Claudette Smith and Robert Patterson Sr. in Eureka, CA. Bob is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation and a descendent of the Karuk Tribe. He grew up in the area of Babb, MT where he spent many seasons fishing, hunting, and exploring the mountains, often with his relatives, including his grandma Dolly. At age 17, Bob received a scholarship to the Institute of Native American Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, NM where his art really took off. He has many paintings of the landscapes he cherished and explored. Bob moved to Shelby in 1976, spending the majority of his lifetime in the community where he raised his children. Bob was easy to make friends with and had stories for days. He spent his years working as a mechanic, auto partsman, running maintenance for Shelby properties , and eventually leading him to open his business, Bob’s Yard Care & Equipment Repair. Bob’s greatest gift in life was being a caring father of 5, brother, and son. He always made sure that summertime was memorable by taking his children camping, fishing, hunting, and exploring the mountains that helped raise him. He was a storyteller, a visionary, an innovator, and always a jokester. He was a generous, kind, and loving man who always spoke positively about life, even through the toughest of times. His motto for life was to “never give up”. Bob will be remembered by his children Chenoa, Dillon, Kahsha, William, and Shakia and his siblings Ronnie, Ronda, Robin, Renee, and Wade. In the spirit world he will join his Mom Claudette, Grandma Dolly, and Brother Wayne.

Please join us in celebrating Bob on Saturday, June 17th. We will have a community feed at Williamson Park (river park 5 miles south of Shelby on Frontage Road) from noon to 3pm. We will provide drinks, burgers, and hotdogs. Bring a lawn chair and potluck dish to share. We will continue the storytelling at the Dixie Inn in Shelby at 4pm. Come by and share a tale of Bob! This isn’t goodbye, this is see ya later.