Robert “Bob” Elmer Michaels

Robert “Bob” Elmer Michaels

April 21, 1942-March 14, 2022

Bob, Robert Elmer Michaels, 79, passed away peacefully in his sleep March 14, 2022. Bob was born on April 21, 1942, in Basin to John Michaels Jr. and Helen House Michaels. Bob’s loving siblings, Dorothy, Karen and Jim, were often his partners in mischief. The family farm they called home was southwest of Otto. After several years they moved to Basin. At age 11, Bob contracted Polio and was in an iron lung. Through the help of his determined parents and siblings, Bob persevered and lived a full life undefined by Polio. Bob’s mechanical abilities became apparent at a young age and in lieu of high school, he completed diesel mechanics training in Chicago.

In 1962, as a handsome, cleft-chinned man, he walked through the door of the Jim Bridger Café and met a young waitress named Sharon Jacobsen. In 1963, they were married in Fort Bridger. They made their home in the Big Horn Basin for the next 55 years and together they built their careers, their family, and their friendships.

In their first year of marriage, they suffered the loss of their firstborn, Daniel, during delivery. Over the next six years, Bob and Sharon were blessed with The Five B’s: Barbara, Bobby, Brenda, Bryan and Burke. Having five little towheads under the age of 6 proved to be quite the task and the couple conquered it with laughter and smiles.

To make ends meet, Bob found himself owning and operating the first self-propelled stack wagon in the Big Horn Basin. This led to one of his many U.S. patents. In 1975, the family moved to Ten Sleep, as Bob took over the operation of Buffalo Creek Farms. Under Bob’s management and direction, the farm prospered and became a showpiece for desert land entries. It was featured on the cover of the Wyoming Stockman Farmer and later included on the Wyoming Governor’s Tour.

Beginning in the late ‘80s, Bob touched the lives of many students and staff as activity driver at Worland Schools. He developed life-long friends throughout the state of Wyoming. 

In 2010, Bob and Sharon retired. They traveled to Norway, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. They enjoyed attending sporting events, concerts, and graduations of their 14 grandchildren. Bob and Sharon loved their friends as though they were family, and these relationships brought them much love, laughter, and support. As many can attest, Bob was a card shark and an accomplished prankster. He lived a full and influential life.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; parents, John and Helen; son, Daniel; brother, Jim; brothers-in-law, Scotty Hinman and Ted Adkins. He is survived by daughter, Barbara (Bruce) Ostermann of Worland; son, Robert (Loranna) Michaels of Powell; daughter, Brenda (Edwin) Ooms of The Netherlands; son, Bryan (Terri) Michaels of Gillette; and son, Burke (Angie) Michaels of Boise, ID; sisters, Dorothy (John) Gibler and Karen Hinman all of Basin; sister-in-law, Karen (Garie) Henry of Robertson; sister-in-law, Jerri Adkins of Mountain View; and brother-in-law, Jack (Christie) Jacobsen of Worland.

Bob dearly loved his 14 grandchildren and was so proud to have taught them all to ride unicycles. Bob was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life was held Monday, March 21 at the Washakie Community Complex Center in Worland.

Memorials may be made to the Worland Senior Center by mail to: Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.