Obituary of Robert Wayne Keutzer

Bob was born at Meadowlands, Minnesota on April 6, 1925 to William and Anna Keutzer joining his four year old sister, Virginia. His father was a carpenter and his mother a school teacher. In 1930 they moved out to Hillsborough, Oregon and then in 1935 on to Deer Island, Oregon where he lived for most of the next thirty two years. His father had no notion that he would be anything but a carpenter, but in 1941 at the age of 16 he hired on at Deer Island Stock ranch. He worked there most of the next 25 years. In 1944 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent his over sea's time at Guam, the Philippines and in Japan. He drove truck and was involved with building bridges. When he got out of the Army he returned to the ranch where his job was waiting him. He entered amateur rodeos all over Oregon and Washington for several years. In 1948, he and Zieg, his best friend for many years, took off for California where they rode for the Tajon Ranch. They liked the experience of working for a bigger outfit but there was someone pulling him back to the Deer Island Ranch. Wilma and Bob were married April 8, 1950. Their first son, Jack, came along in November 1951 and Bill in October 1954. There were times when he felt he was not earning enough money for the growing family and he went to work with his dad building houses and working for big construction companies building schools. Somehow, he always found his way back to the ranch and the work he loved. It was in 1957 when a buddy told him to bring his horse over and see how he liked team roping. that's when it all started. It has been an important part of his life ever since. In 1967, he, his dad and a couple of buddies made the trip to Canada to see if they might like the change. He found a piece of land in Lone Prairie to his likin'. They sold their small place at Deer Island and loaded all their belongs in four trucks and headed north. They arrived in Lone Prairie August 10, 1967. Bob never regretted the move. He enjoyed raising his own cattle and for 15 years he drove the Lone Prairie school bus. He enjoyed many great experiences in his life such as being invited to go on the great California Ranchero Visitadoes trail ride, canoeing the Bowron Lakes and the good deep sea fishin' trip with young Zimmerman. All his rodeo buddies have gone on before and I sure would like to think that they are sharing some great memories together again. Bob is predeceased by his father, mother and his beloved sister, Virginia. He is survived by his loving wife, Wilma of 59 years, sons Jack (Brenda), Bill (Holly), six grandchildren, Les (Alison), Clint (Tammy), Jody (Cody), Justin (Rosemary), Kaila and Kacy , Great Grandchildren Cassidy, Wyatt, Morgan, Austin, Brooklyn, Clay, Taggart and Cole. Many nieces and nephews. He lived a happy and adventurous life. He was taken from us on October 27, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the Chetwynd Baptist Church, Pastor Don Harris officiated, interment followed in the Tuscoola Mountain Cemetery. Very respectfully Reynars Funeral Home.