Robert Gess
Robert William Gess of Billings, formerly of Wolf Point, Mont., passed away on May 15, 2022, at age 85.
He was born Aug. 2, 1936, to Julius and Alma Gess in Wolf Point. His father emigrated from Canada in 1915 and homesteaded 28 miles north of Wolf Point. Robert was raised on the family farm with his siblings, Helen (Robbins), Lorraine (Morrison) and Victor Gess. He attended a one-room country school at Volt and Wolf Point High School, graduating in 1954.
Robert was drafted into the Army on July 13, 1959. He was sent to Fort Ord, Calif., for basic training, then to Fort Gordon, Ga., to learn communications, including Morse code. He was assigned to a tank battalion in Korea.
After returning home in 1961, he went back to farming and ranching with his dad, eventually taking over the farm. He loved looking down his straight, weed-free rows of wheat. In the winter months, Robert enjoyed working in his shop and mastering the art of knifemaking, which he learned from his Uncle Hank.
In April 1967, Robert met Merna Smith, a nurse at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City where he was a patient. After a two-month courtship, Robert proposed to Merna. They were married four months later on Oct. 1, 1967, at First Lutheran Church in Miles City.
Merna joined him at the family farm where they raised three daughters, Sandi (Scott Olsen) of Rapid City, S.D.; Shanon (Jody Bencker) of Bismarck, N.D.; and Deanna (Shilo Shumway) of Williston, N.D. Grandpa Bob was blessed with seven grandchildren who absolutely adored his sense of humor, Alexa Olsen, Riley Olsen, Cory Bencker, Tiffany (Bencker) and husband McKennon Vetter, Devan Shumway, Micade Shumway, Niah Shumway; and one great-grandson, Declan Vetter.
Robert was involved with local groups including the elevator board, church council, Wolf Point Museum and Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.
He loved taking his family on motorhome trips to Medora, Fort Peck and western Montana for salmon snagging. Memories were also made on an Alaskan cruise and trips to Hawaii, Nashville and Las Vegas for the NFR. He couldn’t pass up the opportunity to strike up a conversation with a stranger and joke about “gessing” his last name.
Robert and Merna moved to Billings in 2011 to enjoy retirement, celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2017.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Lorraine and Victor.
Robert was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Billings and First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Memorials may be sent to either church or the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/Montana.
Robert’s family would like to thank the staff at Billings Clinic who cared for him in his final days.
'Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and it shall come to pass.' Psalm 37:5. We’ll miss you, Dad.
A service will be held on Saturday, May 28, at 1 p.m. at Smith Funeral Chapel, 304 34th St W in Billings.
(Paid Obituary)
