Bob was born May 2, 1929 in Berkeley California to Kenneth Sexton and Anna Belle Compton Sexton. He grew up on his family’s ranch near Willows, California. He went through school in Willows graduating in 1947. He attended the University of California at Davis for a year then transferred to Utah State in Logan Utah.
Bob returned to the ranch in 1949 and went into partnership with his father. In 1952 Bob flew to Australia and worked as a ‘jackaroo’. Bob worked on several sheep stations in the outback and made one trip to a cattle station in Queensland. In December his fiancée Louise Johnson flew to Australia and the couple was married January 2, 1953 in Adelaide SA. After honeymooning in Australia and New Zealand they sailed home to California.
In 1955 Bob, Louise, and daughter Debbie moved to the Laramie, WY area and he went to work for the Joe Miller Co. Bob passed the Wyoming Game Warden exam in 1963 and took a temporary job building fence on Sheep Mountain and in the Seminoles. He ran the Dubois game check station in the fall and helped build the Downer Bird Farm near Hawk Springs where he worked for two years. In 1966 he became a damage control warden in Laramie. He attended the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy at UW in Laramie.
Bob worked on game damage control and game law enforcement until 1975 when he was promoted to law enforcement specialist. In 1979 he was assigned as a bodyguard during the Mark Hopkinson murder trial in Jackson Wyoming.
Bob’s hobbies were guns, hunting, and shooting. He hunted Dall sheep in Canada and Big Horn sheep in Wyoming as well as antelope and deer in the Red Desert.
He competed in police revolver matches for over 20 years, winning Wyoming State champion 5 times. Over the years he also competed in police revolver matches in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Iowa.
After retiring in 1984 Bob went into pistol smithing and commercial reloading of pistol ammunition. He volunteered for youth shooting sports in Wyoming and New Mexico. He was chief hunting instructor for NRA Youth Adventure camp in New Mexico for 12 years, a Wyoming 4-H shooting sports leader and a Wyoming Hunter Ed instructor since 1966.
Because he suffered from asthma Bob was rejected by the navy and the draft but he found many other ways to contribute to his community. Bob and Louise both volunteered as instructors for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman camps in both Wyoming and New Mexico. He was a member of the 4-H Shooting Sports leader training team and chairman of the Wyoming State 4-H Foundation Board of Directors. They worked as bailiffs for district court and elections judges for Albany County and also helped with the community Thanksgiving Dinner.
Bob is survived by his daughters Debbie (Bill) Wempen, Janice Sexton, and Sandra (Larry) Goza. He is also survived by his sister Arleigh Simmons, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Louise, parents, brother Hank Sexton and son Mike Sexton.
A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the Albany County Fairgrounds. Honor’s provided by the L.A.S.T. Team.
I met HeyBob in 1993 and never stopped enjoying the wisdom and fun he taught me while at Adventure Camp. He was the only reason I came back in 1994 to be a CIT so I could learn more from him. Wow what a loss. I had just thought about him recently and when google found this obituary I was very saddened. What a great man.
After hearing of HeyBob's passing, I felt compelled to share some memories of Bob with the current Adventure Camp family. I shared the following, but after joining today's service (thank you for streaming it); it seems appropriate to repeat again here. HeyBob was beloved by so many. His sense of humor, quick wit, and genuine smile made you want to be around him; the campfire songs, pre-dawn trips to watch the sunrise, and recitation of Robert Service poetry made you wish the moments wouldn't end. Then there was his actual Adventure Camp job. He told life stories exemplifying Hunter's Ed principles, facilitated compass courses, walk-through hunts, camera hunts, dutch oven cooking, taught us to assemble and disassemble massive canvas tents, and much more. As a CIT or Counselor, you'd hope that Bob would stop by the range looking for help. Being selected to set up for an outdoor skills class or the camp-out was a privilege and riding in his truck was an adventure in itself. All of these activities were marked by his genuine commitment to youth. I count myself lucky to be among the many individuals that HeyBob impacted. As the youngest of 4 siblings who attended Adventure Camp, his reputation preceded my meeting him. In my last summer at camp, I had the honor of serving as assistant to Bob (and that summer, Louise, as well!). It is the best job I've ever had. I bet they are enjoying 'Leftover Biscuits' together again.
Bob and Louise will be dearly missed by our family and our community. They were the finest neighbors one could ask for. I remember life before your folks lived out by us and I can say for sure that life was better after they became neighbors. Not only because Bob got us all to get organized and get a road grader and build a real road, but also for the sense of community they both brought. As a kid I loved it when Bob would come over for coffee and I would sit and listen to many good stories. What I remember most is that no matter how difficult the situation, he always had kind words and a smile and laugh. And there were many difficult, cold, snowy, windy situations out there. When I was older and moved back to Wyoming after being away for 15 years, they were still as welcoming and helpful to us as ever. Neighbors are some of the most important relationships in our lives and we were so blessed to have Bob and Louise as neighbors. Sending much love and our condolences, Meg Thompson Stanton and family
My condolences to the Seton family. I did not know Bob well. When I talked to people who knew him, they all said what a wonderful man he was. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
After I got out of the Air Force (1971) I returned to school at the U. of Wyoming. I was working weekends at Game and Fish check stations during the fall hunting seasons. Bob stopped by at the check station where I was working one weekend during antelope season and we got to see how he checked hunters and he got to see how we checked hunters. I think how we did it may have changed that afternoon. The word about Bob was that he was very strict about enforcing wildlife laws. . We were afraid he would catch us overlooking something. If he did, he didn't say anything. A few years later I started competing in G&F pistol matches. In several years of shooting in these matches, I most regularly came in third behind Bob Sexton and Dave Thompson. Dave Thompson had moved from the Game and Fish Department to the Wyoming Highway Patrol so Bob and I teamed up to shoot in that part of the pistol matches. His shooting scores were always high enough to pull us into first place. Bob was in Laramie and I was in Rock Springs so we rarely ever worked together, but it would have been a great privilege if I'd had more chances to work with him. What can I say? He is missed.
Janice, Arleigh & family. We here in Utah are so sorry to hear of the passing of your father & a couple of months ago, your mother also. There are numerous kids that learned so much with so many fun experiences and so loved your dad affectionately called "Hey Bob" constantly. The above tribute by Anonymous but signed Kenyon said everything so well, we would echo those same sentiments exactly. Please know we thought the world of both Bob & Louise and admired their talents. May you enjoy their memories also. Brenda Freeman, daughters, nieces, nephews, neighbors & friends from Utah
I met Hey Bob at Adventure Camp when I was a shy 17-year-old. I found a kindred spirit in someone who loved the outdoors and shooting sports. I was always impressed with Bob’s patience and ability to reach youth. He was able to do this by listening to us and then imparting his wisdom in conversation and through educating us in hunting, cooking, knot-tying and other outdoor skills, singing songs around the campfire, reciting poems, and spending time with us passing on his love and enjoyment of life. I have always thought, how cool it would be to be his child, grandchild or just part of his family. To his family, thank you for sharing him! He is larger than life and once he rests and spends time with those he’s meeting again, he will do an outstanding job educating and entertaining and just enjoying life in heaven. God just welcomed a great man of service and may the youth and everyone else there appreciate him as much as we did. With a grateful heart -- Beth
I met Bob in the fall of 1973 and worked with him a little. He rescued me from a ling wait with a broken down Game and Fish truck, and he took me along on a project to blow a couple beaver dams, back when department people could handle dynamite. His sense of humor and outlook on life made everyone around him a little happier, I hope. His stories were always entertaining and if we listened, some of us might have even learned a few things. We'll miss him greatly.
So sorry for your loss...your father was a fascinating person...
In the mid 1970’s we had a long drought in California. Most of the cattle and sheep were moved out of state, as we had no feed for them. I remember Uncle Bob spent a lot of time at the ranch during that drought. He and my Dad had adventure after adventure running around looking after the livestock. They were both people who liked to enjoy and have fun with what ever they were doing. There was always something going terribly wrong in one of the different places, but they had such a good time tackling them together. The trips they took to the Northwest Territory’s were among the very favorite of my Dad’s many adventures, and I have no doubt that it had a lot to do with getting to share the experience with Uncle Bob. My Dad loved being in the company of his brother. As a kid, I remember it being such an exciting event when Uncle Bob would play the guitar and sing all those old songs. How he could remember all the words to so many songs was amazing When Janice put together a surprise 80th birthday party for her Dad, it was such a good excuse to fly out to celebrate that milestone and to visit family that I hadn’t seen in way too long. And I am so glad I went. It was wonderful to be there with so many others who, like me, were so very happy to have a part in celebrating the birthday of a man who meant so much in the lives of everyone there. Our Grandmother wrote a short piece after the passing of our Grandfather. She ended it with a quote - which I believe applies to Uncle Bob, just as it did to his father : “such was the influence of this man, that we seem not to be burying him, but laying a foundation stone. Now he had become what he was evermore to be, our bedrock.” Patti
Sending our deepest condolences to the family. Our family got to know Bob (and Mary) when our kids were involved in the 4-H shooting sports program. (And who didn't love Mary's chocolate cookies?!)
I so enjoyed both of your parents. Our community has lost a wonderful couple. My thoughts and prayers to the entire family
Sincerest condolences to the Sexton family.
I loved to see Bob come into my shop, he always had something interesting to share. He was unassuming, you wouldn't know how capable, strong and good natured he was until you got to know him.
Janice I only wish we lived closer, but you will be in our thoughts and prayers on the 4th. Take care of yourself. I know this has been a very hard time for you. Lindsay Galey Mergelman
It is so hard to say goodbye to my hero, friend, my dad. You will forever be in my heart. I have some of the best memories of childhood, my teen years and as an adult. You were always there for me. Thank you dad. I love you so much.
We are so sorry to hear about Bob's passing. Our thoughts and prayers for his family.
To think, Bob thought I was colorfully eccentric... If you're on this site then you must've known Bob. Colorful doesn't even come close. Bob was unique. Friend, family man, mentor, remarkable teacher and instructor, and a skilled 'leaderastrayer'. Adults listened to him, he knew what he was talking about. To kids he was a pied piper. He was at his best around a campfire, his guitar in hand and he'd keep you going nights for a week and never, OK, 'seldom', repeat a song or a story. Robert Service would have beamed to hear Bob recite his poems. To know Bob was to know his brother Hank. What a pair! Didn't make much difference what broke, they'd fix it or jury rig something to make it work. Their knowledge of knots was encyclopedic, heaven help you if you didn't tie what you were supposed to tie when and where it belonged. Unlike some of us, either one of them could back up anything and put it any where. To hunt or camp with them was a continual learning experience rare privilege. Seldom was there a dull moment. Have you ever known anyone besides Bob that used a Galleon Road grader to plow his driveway? Colorful? Like the shirts that Louise custom made for him. Yep, Bob and Louise, to the family, I am so sorry for your loss. More than that, thank you for sharing Bob and Louise with the rest of us. Not only did they make our world a better place, they have been remarkable role models. Thank you. May they both rest in peace. Kenyon
Your mom and dad were great. They were a great asset to all who know them.
Blessings to your family. Bob was a man of many talents he shared with this community. He will be long remembered and missed. He was also a USU graduate like myself.
Our community has lost a great couple and we will forever miss their participation.
I heard about Bob long before I ever met him... and he was respected by those within the WGFD who worked with him and those who had the honor interacting with him aside from his work with the Department. He was a man of great integrity and he has been a role model to many. Sending my condolences to his family... you have much to be proud of.
Debbie, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We feel your pain as we lost both our mom and dad in 2020. Our prayers and love are with you at this time of loss. May God surround and uplift you in His Love! Nina Kercher Williams
I was so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I got to know him through our jamming group at the Eppson Center...Biscuits 'n Jam. I always loved to hear him sing and play his guitar. He was a special man, and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
My heart and prayers are with the family at this time. I feel so fortunate to have known Bob. I love listening to his singing. I also cherish my time with him a couple summers ago and driving around Wyoming and hearing his stories. Best tour guide ever. I have fond memories and I he touched my heart. Rest In Peace.
Im sad for your loss, Debbie, Janny, Sandy. Mostly I remember our families together when you lived on Sprague Lane and that auto gate opener I think your dad made. Our parents are forever cherished. Brenda Cousins Wile
Bob and Louise were such wonderful people. We were blessed to be able to be mentored, and friends. They will be deeply missed. God has gained angels !
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Erica and Chris Mazurie
So sorry for your loss! Hugs and prarers! ?Mike &Ruth Fortman
Bob and Louise were involved in the Quadra Dangle Square Dance Club for a number of years and served on the Board of Directors.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Miss Janice. Prayers for you and your family. ~Di Wilsey Geer
Bob was a great mentor, not only to the Shooting Sports youth but also to leaders and parents. He is one who left large shoe prints that are hard to match in stride. My family is blessed to have had the opportunity to sit and listen to his stories while gleaning from his knowledge of the sport of shooting rifle, pistol and muzzle loader. Our prayers go out to the family.