Robert "Bob" McIntosh

God took Robert (Bob) Verdine McIntosh home at the age of 88 on Sunday afternoon, November 17, 2019. He passed peacefully in his wife's arms at their home.
Born June 9, 1931 in Torrington, Wyoming to Verdine William McIntosh and Pauline Carrie (Bacon) McIntosh
Depression era was tough on so many families, resulting in a divorce of his parents. Bob, age 6 and his brother, Terry age 3, found themselves living in St, Joseph's Catholic Orphanage in Torrington, WY for several years. Their Mom worked two jobs to try and bring the kids home on the weekends. The orphanage had its own farm and dairy cows, so Bob learned at an early age to milk cows and other farm chores.

Bob left the orphanage when he was caught kissing a girl at 15; he and his brother went to live with their mom in Fort Lupton, CO. At 16 he traveled to Jackson with his Aunt and Uncle and found a job working on the Elk Ranch for the summer. Returning on his own his 17th summer, he worked on the R Lazy S for Bob Mcconaughey and the Circle H ranch at Moose for Harry Barker Sr.

Bob liked Jackson so much he decided to stay the winter. He rented a room in the “Sweetwater Cabin” (which at that time, was a private home) and found a part time job at Lumleys Drug Store, so he could attend Jackson High School for his Junior year. That summer he again found employment on dude ranches and went back to school his senior year.  Unfortunately, he ran out of money and returned to Cheyenne, to live with his mother and finish his Senior year at St Mary's Catholic high school.

Following graduation Bob found the first of many jobs in Oklahoma helping with wheat harvest from Texas to Canada driving combines and trucks. He never made any money, as the company took it back for room and board. Bob then hitch-hiked to southern Arizona and found work on a cattle ranch. The heat was intolerable for him to work in, but he stuck it out. He received room and board and two tailored western shirts made by the ranch owner's wife as his pay. Bob found himself sweeping out a bakery for something to eat and slept under bridges. He finally said, “enough of this hot country, I am going back to Wyoming.” He had some more odd jobs hitching back to Cheyenne and in November of 1950 enlisted in the Air Force. After basic training he was commissioned to Photo Technician with rank of Airman First Class.  His duties were photographing possible future radar sites from helicopters in occupied Germany.

Following an honorable discharge, Bob headed home to Jackson Hole. Howard Ballew hired him on the Moose Bell Ranch. This is where he met a special girl who came west from Grand Rapids, MI. She was working on the neighboring Circle H ranch; it was a business deal that brought them together. She offered to wash his clothes if he would take her to square dances. He took her up on the deal and married Rosemary January 28, 1956

During those 64 years, Bob graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Agriculture. In addition to owning a dude ranch, he was an outfitter and ran hunting camps He also owned cattle in the early years. Later he attended the U of W a second time, and obtained a teaching degree.  With his wife and two daughters, Bob traveled to Charlotte Amalie, ST. Thomas in the Virgin Islands to teach Jr. High science. A year and a half later, he returned to the mainland to work for the State of Wyoming. First as a grasshopper counter (you get down on all fours, hit the ground, and count), then as a Grain Inspector, and finally a Dairy Inspector in Swan Valley.

Bob's love of learning led him to back to school, this time Tech School in Denver, Co for appliance repair. It was then he started his own business Mephisto’s Repair and Maintenance. For twenty years he enjoyed not only repairing appliances, HVAC systems and other odd jobs but helping his customers. He also found joy in saddle bronc riding in his younger years, being a charter member, and playing polo with the JH Polo Club. Bob was also a member of the Teton Twirlers dance club, Lions Club (where he earned the club’s highest service award in the nation), American Legion, and was Quartermaster for years with the VFW.

Bob most of all loved his family. His wife, two daughters and grandchildren meant everything to him. He loved dancing with his wife. His girls would tell you he always encouraged you to never stop learning. He was a loving husband and father. He was a dependable person as anyone could ask for, had a sense of humor, always there to lend a helping hand to anyone, and an honorable man. As we say goodbye remember if you asked him how he was doing he would tell you “BOOMING”.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother Pauline and step father Glen Dyrland, father Verdine and brother Terry along with many aunts and uncles. Along with many old timers and friends. He is survived by his loving wife Rosemary, his daughters Mary (Jeff) Sundheim and Alice (Kyle) Walker, his grandchildren Chad, Cody, Amber, Wayne, Erin, Jessica and Zach. Many nephews and nieces.

The Memorial Service will be Monday, December 2nd at the American Legion beginning at 4:00pm with a flag service followed by a celebration of life open house. The family asks you to stop by and share your memories and stories.