Robert Wilton Irwin was born October 8, 1932, to Alvin and Esther Irwin in Minot, ND. He grew up in Minot except for a short period of time when he and his mother lived in Seattle, WA while his Dad was in the U.S. Army. When he returned to Minot he finished all his schooling there and then started working for Great Northern Railroad (later Burlington Northern) at the age of 17. He started in the Round House, graduated to delivering freight trailers around town, and ended with driving crews to and from trains. He worked there 43 years.

Bob married Donna Fay Ehr in 1956, and they were together nearly 70 years. Her family introduced him into the rodeo side of the horses and he was immediately hooked. He went on to win many championships in calf roping, steer wrestling and team roping. He was a sought after "hazer" at rodeos all the time. Bob was especially proud that some of his friends that bought rodeo horses from him went on to attain Cowboy Hall of Fame status.

Together, Bob and Donna had three children, all who have a strong passion for horses and rodeo. They in turn have passed that love onto their children, allowing Bob's legacy to live on. He was always willing to invest in a horse deal and partner with his kids and grandkids. He bought numerous horses over the phone "sight unseen" right up until his last week.

Bob also liked to elk hunt in Montana, bird and deer hunt with friends around Killdeer and New Town, and fish wherever they were "biting". He and Donna loved to travel through the National Parks and took many trips after he retired. They always had a huge garden. He kept the practice arena worked even after all the kids had married and left home because "you never know when someone might stop in to try a horse". He later turned some of the arena into the garden but still kept it all worked up.

Bob was a director in the ND High School Rodeo Association and a Trustee for the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame.

He is preceded in death by his Mother and Father, mother and father in law and various aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Bob is survived by wife (of 69 years) Donna; sons, Arnie (Patti) and Robert "John" (Susie); daughter, Wanda (Rory Brown). Grandchildren. Myre (Nick Cross); Sam Irwin (Robynn); Marni Irwin; Rory Irwin (Mandy); Halli Irwin and Cameron Irwin. Great grandchildren, Klanci Cross; and Eli Irwin. Other survivors include Brother-in-law. Sonny Ehr (Mardean) and nieces and nephews he inherited.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.