Robert Ward

Robert F. Ward passed away January 10th, 2020 at Shepherd of the Valley in Casper, WY.

Robert Francis Ward was born in Buhl, Idaho December 19th, 1928, the first of four children born to Merle Ellsworth (Slim) Ward and Irene Ruth (Williams) Ward.

Bob’s dad owned and operated the Green T Texaco Station in Tensleep, WY where Bob worked until he graduated from Ten Sleep High School in 1946.

On June 12, 1949 Bob married the love of his life, Betty “Zoe” Ward while they were attending college at NWCC in Powell, WY.  Out of this union were born two daughters, Syljuana Marie in 1951 and Francine Kaye in 1954.

Bob began his military career shortly after graduating high school; enlisting in the United States Army in January of 1947.  He proceeded to serve in both the Active Army and Reserves until 1954.  On August 10th, 1954 he enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard, eventually making his way up to 1st Lieutenant in 1959.  On October 1st, 1961 Bob was called back to Active Duty, serving as 1st Lt. in the Army Corp of Engineers at Ft. Lewis, Washington until he was Honorably Discharged on Jan. 15th, 1964, officially and proudly ending his service career at Ft. Carson, CO.

Bob attended the University of Wyoming earning his Bachelors in Trades and Industry in 1955.  His teaching career began in September of 1954 at FCVHS in Lander, WY and after leaving the Army in 1964 he moved the family to Flagstaff, AZ where he attended Arizona State College (later to become NAU) earning his Master’s Degree.  His second teaching job brought Bob and his family to Casper College where he taught Auto Body & Auto Mechanics and was instrumental in the design of the Werner Technical Center.

Bob was active in the Masons and Boy Scouts troop #121.  Bob and Zoe thoroughly enjoyed playing Bridge and dancing with the Black Sheep Square dancers and round dancing clubs.  While Francine was active in Bethel #28 Bob was elected Associate Grand Guardian for the state of Wyoming, International Order of Job’s Daughters.

After Casper College discontinued his teaching program in 1969, Bob was a lineman at Nagel Motors, service manager at Mel Colliers Motors and lastly, but most memorably Bob taught Auto Mechanics at NCHS from 1971 to 1985 when he took early retirement.  He then proceeded to substitute teach at KWHS and taught drafting for a couple of years.

Bob and Zoe became snow-birds going to Tucson, AZ every winter until ill health required them to stay in Wyoming.

In their later years Bob and Zoe joined the Meadowlarks and were very active in their Bible study groups.  They were also life-long members of the First United Methodist Church of Casper, WY.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Syljuana (EJ) Williams of Vail, AZ and Francine (Richard) Weliever of Riverton, WY; two granddaughters, Erika WEliever of Colorado Springs, CO and Sarah (Hayden) Wick of Redbird, WY; his youngest brother, Roger P (Suzanne) Ward of Temecula, CA; and several nieces and a nephew.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Slim in 1999; his mother, Irene in 1954; brother, Bill in 1991; sister, Dorothy in 2019; and wife, Zoe in 2019.

A memorial Service will be held at Bustards Funeral Home on February 1st, 2020 at 3 p.m.  A reception will follow the service at Bustards Reception Center.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the American Diabetes Association or the Blue Envelope Fund.