Robert “Bob” Shotwell, loving, generous, fun-loving and wise husband, father, and grandfather left this world on May 17, 2026, after a brief illness.

Bob was born in Forsyth, Montana, on May 2, 1929, the fifth child of Emilie and Bert Shotwell. He spent his early years on the family’s ranch near Colstrip where he developed his work ethic and love for agriculture, nature, and animals. The family moved to Forsyth where Emilie taught school and Bob spent his school years, graduating from Forsyth High School. Bob worked various jobs until joining the United States Army in 1951 where he served in Korea during the Korean War. Upon his Army discharge, he attended Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business.

Bob’s cousin Donna Walker introduced him to her nursing school roommate, Mavis Freburg, who became his love and partner for life. Bob and Mavis married in 1961 and lived in several Montana towns as he started his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, helping primarily with employment services. They settled in Billings with their three children in 1970. Bob worked for the BIA for 25 years, taking early retirement in 1985. This allowed him to spend more time in his favorite spot – the garden.

Bob was an expert gardener, famous for his delicious tomatoes which he was still growing this year. He grew many other vegetables, trees, and flowers, always sharing with family and friends. His children were his garden “helpers” and he shared with them his gardening knowledge, such as which plants liked shade or sun and how to identify a plant by the leaves. Bob was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He taught his kids how to swim, dive and ice skate, skills acquired from being a swimmer, lifeguard, hockey player, and track and field athlete in his youth. He was an excellent role model while raising his kids and caring for his grandkids as well. Bob was a deep thinker and loved to ponder solutions to everyday problems. He had many techniques that he loved to share, including his signature Vitamin C cold remedy (slowly dissolve a Vitamin C tablet on the back of your tongue, and repeat until symptoms start to subside), which always made him feel better quicker than everyone else. He exemplified hard work, productivity, frugality, and being a good citizen and steward of our resources. Bob was selfless and generous with his family and charitable causes. Bob also loved history, games, old movies and news programs, ancestry, family trips, music, nature, animals, and a good Dad joke. He would tell Mavis “No more cats,” yet be the first friend to a newly rescued cat or dog. The pets would gather around Bob for guaranteed treats at mealtimes.

Bob was preceded in death (just seven months ago) by his wife of 64 years, Mavis Shotwell; infant son Mark Allen Shotwell; brothers and sisters-in-law Dick (Irene O’Hara, Joyce) and Jack (Patricia) Shotwell; sisters and brothers-in-law Bonnie (Jack) Marquis and Pat (John) Matz. He is survived by daughter Melanie (Chris) Munson, son David Shotwell, daughter Laurie (Jason) Robinson; grandkids Connor (Sally)

Robinson, Aidan Robinson, Kyra Munson, Brennan Robinson, and Alyssa (Doug Mowat) Munson; beloved nieces and nephews; and several canine and feline family members.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Bob’s generosity with a donation to an environmental, veteran, or animal charity of your choice.