Robert "Bob" Cheney

Robert (Bob) Cheney, a fifth-generation rancher, and pilot in Natrona County passed away from complications of open heart bypass surgery on Monday, March 21, 2022. Bob was born January 1, 1959 in Casper Wyoming, the son of William (Bill) Cheney and Patricia (Pat) Cheney.

Bob’s early education was at Poison Spider school where he excelled in athletics, playing most all major sports, being selected to participate in the AAU games in track and field.
Later, Bob was an outstanding saddle bronc rider in the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association while attending Natrona County High School, graduating in 1977. Bob also competed in multiple rodeo events in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association, where in 1977 he became the World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider. In 1977 he competed in the Nestea High School Rodeo Challenge in Denver, where he won the Saddle Bronc Riding and was awarded the Larry Mahan King of Rodeo Award by Larry Mahan, himself.
He had multiple college scholarship offers, but turned them all down to pursue his life’s dream of ranching. After high school, Bob competed in and judged the Saddle Bronc Riding in the Wyoming Rodeo Association and in the PRCA in the Mountain States Circuit.

Bob worked the family ranch from the time he was 12 years old and purchased the ranch from his parents, Bill and Pat in 1987. Realizing his dream of ranching, carrying on the legacy until the time of his passing. He dedicated 51 years of his life to being one of the best examples of stewardship of the land and his cattle.
Bob introduced new genetics into his heard over the years on many occasions and produced what many believe to be some of the best cattle in Wyoming. He was never afraid of talking to any cowman whom he thought had better cattle to help him improve his own cattle and operation. Bob was a man of his word, and his handshake was unmistakably genuine and if he had business with you it sealed the deal.

Bob learned to fly from his father Bill Cheney and became a private pilot on March 17, 1984, and always made it a point to fly on that date each year after receiving his private pilot’s license. One of his joys was to carry on the family tradition of checking or locating livestock for all in the community as well as predator control for his ranch and those of his fellow ranchers. Bob purchased his own airplane in 2008 and starting flying often. Piloting tail draggers exclusively for nearly 38 years and amassing over 1,550 hours of pilot in command flight time. He excelled at off-airport operations and did not enjoy having to use the aviation radios, taking great pride in that his tires rarely touched the pavement.

Bob enjoyed being horseback the most as well as flying. He also enjoyed rodeo, camping in the mountains, hunting coyotes out of the airplane, hunting and fishing, especially in Alaska.

Bob was preceded in death by his grandparents and father. He is survived by his daughter, Peggy Cheney, life partner Gilda Lara, mother Pat Cheney, brother, Dan Cheney, Gilda’s children, Hayes Merritt, and Lara Rattarree as well as numerous cousins, extended family and countless friends.

Visitation will be at Bustards & Jacoby Funeral Home on Sunday March 27, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Services will be held at the Casper Wyoming Elks Lodge on Monday March 28, 2022 at 1:00 pm.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home , 600 CY Ave, Casper WY 82601.