“The last goodbye is the hardest one to say. This is where the cowboy rides away.” ~ George Strait
We said goodbye to our favorite cowboy Robert Carroll Downs on January 4, 2026. Robert was born one day shy of 73 years ago to Vernon and Betty Downs in Devils Lake, North Dakota. He was the eldest of four boys. Bob grew up leading a rowdy crew, including his three brothers and three neighboring cousins through mischievous adventures. The stories of which are being told to this day.
Bob graduated from Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota. He excelled on the football field, earning all-state honors his senior year. He went on to college in Fort Dodge, Iowa where he met Mary Radosevich. They married and raised three daughters. Through the years, Bob held many different jobs. He was a semi-pro football player, a lumberjack, a construction worker, a rancher, an equine farrier, a wrangler, and worked in the coal mines of Wyoming as a heavy equipment mechanic. Each role added more color to his stories.
Horses were a lifelong passion for this ’ol cowboy. He loved his time in the saddle and his horses never knew a kinder, more gentle hand. RC found pleasure in the simple things. He enjoyed a black cup of coffee, conversation, sitting in the sun, daily chats with his daughters, long walks with the dog, playing his guitar, and driving around town with the window rolled down.
Later in life, in true cowboy fashion, he met a gal and asked her to dance. He and Mary Nelson wrote together a sweet second chance love story.
You may have known him by the name of Robert, Bob, or RC. However, the name he cherished most was PopPops -forever a legend to his five grandsons.
Bob is survived by his mother, Esther Elizabeth (Betty) Downs, his daughters Anna (Tim Dombroski) Downs, Molly (Chris) Voyles, and Elizabeth (Matt) Beamon, his grandsons James (Emily) Beamon, Bridger Beamon, Grayson Dombroski, Jase Beamon, and Asher Voyles, his brothers David (Kris) Downs, Rich (Tracy) Downs and Doug (Diane) Downs, and nephews, nieces, and cousins galore.
A greater storyteller never lived. Just ask any who were lucky enough to be his captive audience for an all too short time.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life and farewell party Saturday, June 27th, 2026 Time: noon-4:00pm location: Unnecessary Party Barn 8084 Erickson Ranch Road Rapid City, SD 57702.
Cards and Stories may be sent to Richard Downs 1515 Summit Blvd Rapid City, SD 57701.
Arrangements by Dean Moncur at West River Funeral Directors, Rapid City, S.D.
