ROBERT (Bob) L. BONDURANT passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Life Care Center of Casper, at age 102 years and 42 days.
Bob was born November 15, 1921, in Parkerton, Wyoming,( a small town between Casper and Glenrock), to Perle O. and Mary Lucile Bondurant, the third child of six children. Bob attended grade school in Parkerton, and graduated from high School in Glenrock in 1939.
Bob began working odd jobs for neighbors at 10 years of age. By his early teens he was busting broncs and working in the hay fields for ranches in the Parkerton and Casper areas and South Pass City. At 18, he began working at the Standard Oil Refinery in Casper.
In 1942, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army. After completing training in the US, he was assigned to the European Theater of Operations. He participated in five campaigns, including Normandy (D-Day); Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes; and Central Europe. His personal decorations include the Purple Heart; Good Conduct Medal; the Europe-African-Middle East (EAME) medal with 5 Bronze Stars.
After his discharge from the Army, Bob returned to Casper and resumed his career with Standard Oil, learning the trade of welder. Bob retired from Standard Oil/Amoco in 1980, after 38 years of employment.
Bob also served with the Natrona County Sheriff's Posse in the 1970's.
Bob loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He especially enjoyed elk hunting in the Bondurant, Wyoming area. Bondurant was named for his grandparents who were early settlers in the Hoback area.
Bob's hobbies included making jade jewelry, singing and dancing, and playing the guitar. He enjoyed traveling, with many trips to Las Vegas and Arizona, and several trips visiting family or friends around the country. He also made several trips to France with his wife, Lucille.
Family was important to Bob and he enjoyed the many large family dinners for birthdays or any family celebrations. He often created family dinners because he just wanted to get them together.
Bob spent his last 17 months at Life Care Center following a debilitating stroke. He made many new friends with other residents and staff members of the facility. He became very close to his roommate, Mitch, who became a genuine advocate and best friend to Bob.
Bob was visited daily at lunch time by his niece, Sandy Ball, and his nephew, Gary Rainey, whose devotion to their Uncle Bob is greatly appreciated.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father; his daughter Rebecca; his wife Lucille who passed away in September of 2021; siblings Cecil, Vera Rainey, Nell Bourquin, Winifred (Babe) Nuzum, June Lythgoe, and two nephews, Bob and Charles Hall.
He is survived by his daughter, Bonnie Bondurant in Nebraska, his son, Robert E. Bondurant of Casper, his previous wife, Marielle Bondurant, many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, and Lucille's son, Donald Tuttle and wife, Kathy, and many lifelong friends.
A graveside memorial service is scheduled for May, 24, 2024 at 10:00am at Memorial Gardens cemetery for the internment of Bob's ashes.
Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Casper Chapel.
To share a memory or to leave a special condolence message for the family, please click "Share Memories."