Robert Hugh Claypool was born in Hinsdale, Montana on November 14, 1925 to Bessie (Trousil) and Homer Claypool. He passed peacefully on February 17, 2023, in Glasgow, Montana, at age 97. He was always amazed that he had lived that long! But his reunion with Charlotte, who passed in 2018 after 70 years of marriage, was something he truly looked forward to.
During his youth, Bob worked in the summers for various farmers in the community (Martin Swanson, Albert Kerr, Andrew Stiley, and Dick Nelson) and at Claypool’s Grocery after 1940 when it was purchased from Buttreys. He attended Hinsdale schools graduating in May 1944 and joined the Navy in August 1944, where he served in the Seabees in the South Pacific area during WWII until 1946. He then returned to Hinsdale and became a partner with his dad in the general store until it was sold in 1975.
In March of 1948, he was joined in marriage with Charlotte Waber. They became the parents of Diane, Jane, and Duane. As a young married couple, they attended many dances and enjoyed the camaraderie of many other area couples. Even at their 50 th wedding anniversary, they were still dancing like a professional dance pair. Countless family fun times were spent in the Hinsdale Park in the summertime boating and skiing. Vacations to Seeley Lake with the Rosendahls were a highlight of several summers, where many ski tricks were attempted by Bob and John and Jay. They were avid sports fans of the Hinsdale Raiders and were able to attend many of their grandchildren’s sporting events, also. Bob also enjoyed hunting, particularly goose hunting, and had many great goose hunts with his Hinsdale hunting buddies and son throughout the years.
Bob was a very active participant in community organizations and activities. He joined the Willie L. Nelson Legion Post #45 in 1946 and served as Commander for 3 years and was instrumental in building the Memorial Park on Main Street. He was also a member of Kyle Lodge #96, serving as Master in 1960 and a member of Algeria Shrine in Helena. He was one of the fellows who formed the Hinsdale TV Club and served as Secretary Treasurer for 29 years. Bob also served as President of the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, was Board Chair and Finance Chair of the Methodist Church, was on the Hillview Cemetery Board for 21 years, a Director of First National and First Community Bank for 21 years, and a member of the Hinsdale Fire Department. He was also a long time member of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.
In 1963 he purchased the homestead farm/ranch of Oswald and Emil Waber. He and Duane worked at the farm while Jane and Diane helped grandpa at the general store and Charlotte kept the school running as District Clerk. Bob was a dedicated farmer and rancher, consistently raising excellent grain crops and outstanding calf crops that earned praise from neighbors, custom combiners and cattle buyers alike. Throughout the years he made numerous forward thinking improvements that made it into an outstanding farm/ranch operation. The ranch was sold in 1991. In retirement, Charlotte and Bob spent many happy days traveling in their motorhome to southern and western states. They basked in the sunny winters at their home in Yuma from 2002 to 2015. They took tours to the Eastern seaboard, England, Scotland, Europe, and spent their 40 th anniversary in Hawaii. They also enjoyed cruises to Alaska and through the Panama Canal. Including his military service in China and the Philippines, Bob figured he had been “around the world”!
Bob is survived by his three children, 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and his sister, June Bjorgum ; Duane (Laurie) Claypool of Miles City and their children Anna and Bryan ; Diane (Mark) Ball of Fort Benton and their children Justin (Jaimie) Ball, Logan, Colter, Taylor, Bridger and Shawn (Mariah) Ball, Brooke (Oshick) and Cade; Jane (Mark Stiver) Frye of Worland, Wyoming and her children Jeremy (Marissa) Frye, Ethan and Kaleb and Jason (Kristy) Frye, McKinley and Piper; Brooke’s children Liam and Nora are the great-great grands of Bob’s family; niece, Terry Urista and nephew, Tim (Becky) Bjorgum and families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Charlotte, son- in law, Jack Frye, brother in law, Dick Bjorgum and nephew, Tracy Bjorgum.
Services and celebration of life will be 11:00 a.m., June 10, 2023 at the Hinsdale American Legion Hall followed by inurnment at Hillview Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Legion Hall.
Memorials can be sent to the Hinsdale Ambulance Fund, Hinsdale American Legion Post #45, or Hinsdale Methodist Church or a charity of your choice. A special thanks to Prairie Ridge Village staff for the care they gave Bob and Charlotte the last few years, so they could remain in their beloved Hinsdale area.