Robert Taypayosatum

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Robert “Bob” Taypayosatum, Wamni Gawinǧe (Circling Eagle) age 65, of Poplar MT made his journey home on Thursday August 28th 2025.

Bob is predeceased by his loving wife Diane Taypayosatum; his biological parents, Marcia Taypayosatum and John Napootican; his parents who raised him, Sterling and Edna Brass; his brothers Rick, George, Herbie, John Wayne, Ron, Gerald MoneyBird, Mervin Brass, Kevin “Taco” Cappo and Fred Lumberjack; his sisters, Mae and Loretta; his special uncle Robert Cappo and brothers in law Johan Westerman, Phillip Jr, James and Glen Granbois; sister in law; Sharon Granbois; nephew in law, Clifford Granbois Sr; Granddaughter; Angel Diane Granbois and good friend, Doug Colgan

Bob is survived by his brothers Gordie Favel and Francis Sherwood and his sister Irene Westernman; Sister-in-law, Shirley Jackson and brother-in-law, Don Granbois (Bernita)

his children Marcia Taypayosatum, Gregory Kaisowatum (Renae), Chad Pasap (Kimberly), Bobbie-Jo Eashappie and Savannah Marie Taypayosatum. Mandy, Jessica and Danielle Granbois, Mikaela Falls Down and Jada Grant (Victor)

Grandchildren; Elijah and Violette Taypayosatum, Emrna Bird, Paris, Jersey and Kingston Pasap, Carter, Karson, Kashton, Mikayla and Kashlyn Kaisowatum, Xavier and Benjamin Walking Eagle Jr, Jaycob Red Thunder, Dian, Nioka, Kiara, Dakota and Logan Grant

Great Grandchildren; Mackenzie Taypayosatum, McKinley and Zeiya Grant

His lifelong friends; Brad and Maureen Grayhawk (and family), Dale and Cornell Fourbear and all his rodeo family.

Bob was born in Tisdale Saskatchewan, Canada on October 11, 1959 to Marcia Ann Taypayosatum and John Napootican. He was a member of the Yellow Quill First Nation. He spent his early life in Canada until 1990 when Bob and one of his brother Herbie decided to move down to the states together. Bob’s brother returned home to Canada but Bob stayed because he knew in his heart he wanted to be here.

When Bob first came here, he earned money by breaking horses and moving cattle, to this day there are roping horses around that he broke many years ago. He could tell you which ones just by their markings. Bob began studying and practicing two types of Martial Arts in 1993 and by 1995 he received his brown belt. He was very proud of this accomplishment.

Bob settled down for some time in Frazer, doing odd jobs but most importantly taking care of his youngest daughter, Sunnie Marie. Bob had 3 daughters, Marcia, Bobbie Jo and Savannah and 2 sons, Greg and Chad, who he thought the world of. He always kept up with them and their lives even if he was doing so from a distance. He talked highly of them, loved each and every one of them deeply.

Bob enjoyed singing and was in a few drum groups with his good buddy, Brad Gray Hawk. This friendship grew into a brotherhood as Bob moved in with Brad and Maureen in 1999-2001.

Bob worked at A&S for some time but later on he began working at Colgan Ranch with Doug Colgan. Moving cattle, branding and breaking horses for them. From this job he became good friends with Doug, who misses him since his passing, he often shared stories of Bob.

Bob found his home when he met his best friend and the love of his life, Diane Lee Granbois in 2001. They married on December 16, 2001, officially becoming “Dad” to her 5 daughters. He raised us as cowgirls and taught us that “cowgirls don’t cry” and to jump back on the saddle whenever we’d get knocked down. Bob always knew when we needed a little tough love and wasn’t afraid to dish it out but he would always remind us, he did it out of love.

Mom and Dad spent 18 wonderful years together before her passing in 2019.

Bob had many different names, Robert, Bobby, Cowboy Bob, Chick, Slim and Dad but his all-time favorite name to be called was Papa.

Bob became Papa in 2005 and filled the role perfectly. There is nothing he was prouder of than being “Papa” to all his grandbabies, he had an extra soft spot for his great-grandbabies. Although he wasn’t present in Mackenzie’s life he watched him grow into the toddler he is today through social media. He was the best Papa, he would go above and beyond for them, they were his whole world. He made sure to pass on the love he had for horses to each one of them. He was present at every single event in their lives and refused to miss any milestone for them. He was their best friend and biggest supporter and he wasn’t shy about cheering them on.

“Cowboy Bob” had a deep love for horses. Every summer he was busy with his buddy Dale FourBear and his brother Cornell as they hit the rodeo trail as The 4 Bear Bucking Horse Crew. Traveling all over to buck broncs. Bob also worked for Spotted Bull Recovery Resource Center- Activities as a livestock handler and event helper. Which meant he spent most his weekends helping with rodeo school or horsemanship clinics. Bob was more than excited to share his knowledge and love for horses with anyone who would listen.

Bob loved staying home with his grandbabies, watching his favorite tv shows, gambling on his phone, backroad cruising while listening to country music and video chatting with his family in Canada. Bob loved spending every moment possible with family, nothing was more important to him.

He loved having a strong cup of Timmie’s in the morning and evening while he sat outside and smoked his cigarettes. He enjoyed visiting and once you got him talking about 7 Arrows, a drum group he was in with his brothers, you were in for a long conversation going down memory lane about all the things they would do. Bob sang with many drums, like Lone Eagle Cree, Elks Whistle, Fort Kipp and Lohmiller to name a few.

Bob enjoyed going to powwows, he would get his cup of Timmie’s and an elephant ear. Sit down and listen to the drum groups and admire all the dancers. Then he would start in on the stories of when he was on the powwow trail and the first time he laid eyes on Mom.

Aside from his passion for bucking, branding, working, doctoring and breaking horses. Bob loved to saddle up and hit the dusty ol trail for the day. A few of Bob’s other hobbies would be wood carvings and leather work. He would spend the summer days in the shed with his stereo on full blast while working on his wood carvings or belts. (His specialty was walking sticks that he would gift to people or belts for his grand-baby’s regalia.) He liked to show off his pool skills and would usually con one of the grandbabies out of 5 bucks on a game of pool. He enjoyed taking the grandbabies fishing and even had convinced them to eat a fish that they cooked over the campfire.

Bob was a loving husband, wonderful dad, amazing Papa, a great friend, a hardworking man and a true Cowboy. Bob was a simple man who wanted to live a simple life, full of love, laughter, horses and country music.

We apologize if we left anyone out. Long Live Cowboys.

A wake will be held on Sunday, September 7th at 7:00 p.m., funeral services will be held on Monday, September 8th at 10:00 a.m. all at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at Poplar City Cemetery.

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left in the guestbook below.