Robert Monk

Robert George Monk left this world far too early on August 25, 2024. Born on July 26, 1966, in California, Rob burned brightly throughout his life and was a complicated person. He was a philosopher, an artist, a naturalist and outdoorsman, and a veteran. A kind and sensitive soul, he found the world a difficult place to navigate even during his happy moments.

Absolutely brilliant, Rob's mind fired at lightning speed and he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He was a philosopher who synthesized texts in ways that took them to new places, forming fresh frameworks for trying to make sense of the world. He coined many ideas and phrases to articulate the essence of the universe.

Rob was in tune with nature, preferring to spend time outdoors hiking, cross-country skiing, and fishing (especially for musky in Wisconsin, where he lived for a number of years). He seemed to understand animals and they him, and he regularly stopped to assist creatures in need, whether it was an injured bird or a turtle needing help to cross the road. He was a magpie, gathering stones, fossils, feathers, and other trinkets for his collection or to turn into beautiful creations.

Rob was a remarkable visual artist, creating paintings and collages that were spectacularly colorful and hauntingly spiritual. He saw the world in a unique way, and that point of view was reflected in his art.

For all of Rob's gifts, his life was not easy, and he had a difficult time being a part of a society that didn't make much sense to him. Day-to-day life was often a challenge. Rob sought adventure and lived life on the edge. His quest for thrills most often resulted in legendary stories and big smiles, but sometimes they resulted in injury, and as Rob got older, those injuries began to plague him with chronic pain. As his pain became more acute in the last couple of years, he lost the ability to do the things that brought him the most joy. On August 25, he took his own life.

His loved ones are devastated and heartbroken, including his brother, Chris Ewing; his sister, Gail Goldman, her husband, Gregg Goldman, and their daughter, Marley Goldman; his sister, Carolyn Longo, and her son, Matthew Hoyt; his beloved and ever-present dog, Chonq; and a slew of friends and family who were fortunate to have had this remarkable meteor of a human pass through their orbit.

Rob was cremated at Dahl's Funeral Chapel in Billings, Montana, where he had been living with his brother, Chris, and on Saturday, August 31, he was celebrated in a small private ceremony with his ashes scattered in the Yellowstone River. We would like to think that he is off on a new adventure and are comforted slightly knowing that he is no longer in pain, but we will never stop missing him. He was one of a kind.