Fair Book Dedicated to Pioneers Bob & Virginia Robinson
June 18, 2020
Courtesy PR Extension Office
A colorful history spanning a century-long life lived well depicts the recipients of the 2020 Fair Book Dedication, Bob (posthumous) and Virginia Robinson, according to Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph. "Good horses and good neighbors' are a central theme to these pioneers who have been and continue to be pillars of our community," added Rumph.
Virginia will celebrate her 100th birthday on August 12th, "if I live that long!", stated Virginia in a recent conversation in conjunction with the 100th Powder River County Fair.
"Bob and Virginia were instrumental in initiating the Powder River County Horse Show way back in 1966," said Rumph. "It continues yet today as the Working Ranch Horse Show as part of the County Fair," she added.
Virginia Rumph was born on August 12, 1920, at Kruger, MT, a now defunct burg located on Butte Creek. Virginia attended the Butte Creek School for eight years before transferring to Broadus. She spent part of her freshman year in Miles City, returning to graduate from Broadus High School in 1938.
From there, Virginia worked in the ASCS office in Broadus, and from 1940-1942 she served as the Deputy Clerk & Recorder. During this time period, Virginia noted that she enjoyed attending dances, and at one of these dances on Butte Creek, Virginia met the love of her life, Frank P. "Bob" Robinson.
Frank P. "Bob" Robinson was born April 13, 1918, in Douglas, Wyoming. In 1937 the family moved to a ranch near Biddle, MT. Bob helped trail livestock, bringing more horses than they did cattle from the Wyoming ranch to Biddle. He made this trip seven times helping Dorrs, his two uncles, and his dad trail livestock. They camped out at night.
During WWII, Bob enlisted in the army at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, January 1942. He chose that place to enlist because it was a remount outfit and they had many horses. At one time they had 11,000 horses and 7,000 mules, which the soldiers had to care for and train. Bob earned a rating of Staff Sergeant and on his discharge in December 1945, his expertise was a "Horse Breaker." At one time, Bob's captain said that "There's a man here who isn't the best bronc rider but is best at keeping a horse from bucking."
Bob and Virginia Lee Rumph were married on September 15, 1942, and lived in Crawford, Nebraska, for about three years. In 1946 they moved to a part of the LO ranch where Bob worked breaking horses and riding on cattle.
They ranched in Powder River and Carter counties from 1950 through 1979 when they moved to a ranchette along the Little Powder. Bob always enjoyed rodeoing and usually found some time to practice, participate, or watch. He was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in January of 2014. In his later years, Bob became a woods craftsman. He died in 2014.
Virginia, Bob, and family spent a great deal of time rodeoing around the country over the years, with Virginia keeping the books, and Bob often competing in roping events. Virginia still has a number of trophies adorning her house which were won by family members – her family continues the legacy of excellent horsemanship demonstrated by Bob.
In the 1966 minutes of a Powder River County Fair Board meeting, it was recorded, "Virginia Robinson, representing the Powder River County Horse Show, ordered trophies from the Billings Trophy Company. Mrs. Robinson then met with the Fair Board and the group discussed the 1967 horse show being run in conjunction with the Fair."
Virginia was the Secretary of the CowBelles for decades. She worked behind the scenes as Secretary of the East Fork Roping Club, too. "I was the secretary for a lot of organizations," she stated.
In a Montana Storycorp interview conducted in 2017, Virginia's advice to others was to "accept things and do the best you can. Try to be agreeable." She added, "I've always had good neighbors and friends who have helped me."
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