Robert Duane (Bob) Carlat went peacefully to his heavenly home on December 23, 2024, at the age of 99. He was born August 10, 1925, in Nevada, Missouri to Lester Thomas Carlat and Jenny Maude (Palmer) Carlat. He was the third of five children, with brothers Ralph, Gerald, Clarence and a sister, Carolyn.
Bob grew up in the Sonnette/ Sayle, Montana area on the family ranch. He first attended a country school called Fifteen Mile School. Later on, Bob went to Broadus, Montana schools, and attended high school in Monrovia, California. In this area, in southern California, Bob was fortunate to get to know his French grandparents, some cousins, and aunts and uncles.
Bob married Charlene Penson December 27, 1948. They were married 67 years. To this union were born four children, Janice, Dan, Shirley, and Susan. Bob and Charlene ranched and raised their children in the Broadus, Montana Powder River area, Decker, Montana, and on Pass Creek near Wyola, Montana. In later years, he and Charlene and their son Dan owned a ranch south of Buffalo, Wyoming.
Bob's passions were ranching, cattle, horses, and music. Along with commercial cattle, Bob raised registered Hereford cattle. He enjoyed producing and selling good quality bulls, winning Grand Champion Hereford Bull at the Powder River County Fair. In 1981, at the NILE Stock Show in Billings, Montana, Bob won Reserved Grand Champion with a pen of his 20 bred yearling Hereford heifers. Much later in semi-retirement years, Bob raised some Longhorn cattle, relishing the color of this breed and the character of their horns. Along with ranching, Bob worked as a Montana cattle inspector in Powder River and Bighorn counties for 51 years.
Bob grew up breaking horses and started and worked teams that were raised on the family ranch. When Bob and Charlene were getting married, Bob's dad asked him if he wanted $100 or a Percheron work team as a wedding gift. Bob chose the team and that was the start of several he owned throughout the years. Apart from the important work aspect of his teams and sleds and wagons, hauling timber, coal, feeding hay in winter, etc., Bob's teams became his hobby in retirement days. He took friends and family on rides in his buggies and wagons and chauffeured brides and grooms to their wedding venues in Sheridan, Wyoming. One day he had the opportunity to give the "Rifleman", western TV star Chuck Connors, a wagon ride to the Sheridan Inn with his flashy bay team, Pat and Mike. In addition, Bob and Charlene participated in various wagon train trips in their covered wagon, including the Wyoming Centennial Wagon Train. Bob's interests also included raising Leopard Appaloosa horses while ranching in the Decker, Montana area. He sold those colorful and spotted horses from his stud, Missoula Leopard.
Bob's love of music began at an early age. He began playing his dad's harmonica before he was old enough to go to school. He played by ear, songs he had heard at country dances. In his high school years, Bob played the saxophone in the Monrovia High School band and the snare drums in the marching band. Bob also played saxophone in an orchestra and concert band in Fresno, California, and played in a police band called the San Gabriel Police Boys Band. Before and after he was married, Bob played the saxophone in the "Otter Creek Boys Orchestra," at countless country dance halls in Montana. Bob also played his piano accordion and banjo; however, his harmonica was the instrument that lasted him through his 99th year, always playing enthusiastically for family, friends, and many times for people at the HUB in Sheridan. He always said music was just easy for him, and THAT it was!
Bob is survived by his children, Janice (Mike) Feaster of Sheridan, Wyoming, Shirley Bedner of Ranchester, Wyoming, Susan (Matt) Yalowizer of Ranchester, Wyoming; nine grandchildren, Kerri (Dave) Edeen, Chanda (Terry) Richards, Cheston (Olivia) Feaster, Charley (Amanda) Carlat, Janey (Tony) Back, Loren Carlat, Eric Warren, Shane (Kristin) Yalowizer, Sarah (Matthew) Jackson; 24 great grandchildren; and seven living nieces and nephews. Bob is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Bull of Ashland, Montana. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers, wife Charlene, son and daughter-in-law Dan and Linda Carlat, and son-in-law George Bedner. Bob will surely be missed by his family for his "old timey" stories, his lively harmonica songs, his sense of humor and playful wit, and his easy laugh, which he portrayed even until his last days.
Services will be held Tuesday, January 7th at 11:00 am at Bethesda Worship Center with Scott Lee officiating, and a reception following. The interment will be held at the Willow Grove Cemetery in Buffalo, WY. Around 2:30 pm. an "empty saddle" processional on horseback will take place into the cemetery grounds. Memorials in honor of Bob can be made to the following:
Dan Carlat-Occidental Jam Memorial Scholarship Fund, 637 Summit Dr., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Online condolences may be made to http://www.sheridanfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.
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