Kent Robinson

** Video Tribute can be viewed by clicking weblink above ** Kent Robinson, age 79 of Belle Fourche, died Wednesday August 8, 2012 in Casa Grande, Arizona, following a courageous fight against cancer. Visitation with the family present will be held 5 to 7 pm Monday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. The funeral service will be held 10:30 am Tuesday August 14th, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche. Interment will be held in Pine Slope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church, Cancer Cure, and Harmony Hospice. Kent Eugene Robinson was born August 19, 1932 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was the son of Eugene and Florence (Tucker) Robinson. In 1942, Kent moved with his family to the Belle Fourche area, where they began ranching west of town. In 1950, Kent graduated from the Belle Fourche High School. He attended college in Brookings, at SDSU, for a short time before returning home to help his father with the ranch. On December 27, 1960, Kent was united in marriage to Barbara Dobesh. Together they enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage. Following their marriage they continued their cow/calf ranch, raising registered Hereford and Gelbvieh cattle which they sold all over the world. During his ranching years, he and Barb enjoyed exhibiting their cattle at several stock shows and fairs throughout the country. In 2005 he retired from ranching, and two years later he was named the Ag Person of the Year by the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce. In 1999, Kent and Barb began wintering in Casa Grande, Arizona. Many friendships were made, and time there was wonderful. Kent enjoyed many things in life, and he always excelled in whatever he pursued. He was a Lay Speaker and he helped conduct church services all over South Dakota. He also served as a Chaplain for a SD camping group. Kent loved to bowl and he was excellent. His best score was a near perfect game of 297. He loved pitching horseshoes and he competed in many state and national tournaments, and 11 world tournaments (of which he was class champion twice). In 2002 he was inducted into the SD Horseshoe Hall of Fame. Kent loved golf and he was a lifetime member of the PGA. Whether it was ranching, public speaking, or all these other activities, Kent received countless awards and honors. His motto was: “I tried to serve, not just exist” and his life truly showed it. What mattered most to him however, was his family. He loved his wife, children, and grandkids and great grandkids very much. He will be greatly missed. Kent is survived by his wife, Barbara of Belle Fourche; daughters, Sandi (Steve) Litschewski of Spearfish, Kimberly Stover of Walcott ND, Dee Stieneke of Humboldt SD; son, Shaun (Mariella) Robinson of Mira Loma CA; 13 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and sisters, Ruby Hutchinson of Spearfish and Loretta Artus of Golden CO. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Frank Dobesh of Belle Fourche, and mother-in-law, Bernice Dobesh of Spearfish. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Rebecca Larson; grandson, Kyle Stover; and sister, Doreen Koopman.