Robert Todd

Robert “Bob” Wayne Todd of Billings passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in Billings following a brief illness. He was born on April 25, 1937, in Harlowton, Montana, to Stanley and Marie (Schultz) Todd and moved to Billings with his family when he was a toddler. Bob's young life took a difficult turn when he lost his mother to a drowning incident when he was only 13 years old. After his mother's death, Bob remained in Billings for a few years and attended Billings Senior High. He relocated to Bridger, Montana, prior to his junior year to live with his aunt Katie Wilson, her husband Larry, and their son Bruce. Bob was active in the Bridger Scouts basketball team, and he graduated from Bridger High in 1955. Following high school Bob attended The University of Montana in Missoula, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After graduating in 1959 with a degree in business administration, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California.

Following his service, Bob returned to Billings and met the love of his life, Colette DuVal. They were married on August 21, 1965, at Holy Rosary Church in Billings. In 1970, their only child Rena would complete their small family.

Bob's career in finance spanned four decades and included employment at Montana Power Company, ABC Kiddie Shops, Archie Cochrane Ford, Consumer Credit Counseling, and at MetraPark as the comptroller. He retired in 2002 and devoted his time to his favorite hobbies, which included gardening and sports. Bob's true passion during retirement was growing tomatoes and sharing his abundant and flavorful harvests with family and friends.

Bob's youth was scarred by the death of his mother when he was 13, and he never — even in his final years — got over that loss. Despite the heartache he faced, he never let that tragedy compel him to be less than he could be in life. He devoted himself to being the type of husband and dad he must have wished played a role in his own young life. Bob was generous, kind, ethical, sensitive, loyal, hardworking, and not without a good sense of humor. At times he certainly could be cantankerous and stubborn, qualities which may have, at least at first glance, justified the nickname “The Ogre” given to him by his daughter and which he even wore with pride. Of course, the best nicknames are the ironic ones, and anyone who felt the nickname was anything but ironic didn't know Bob well.

Bob is survived by his wife Colette of Billings and by his daughter Rena Lee and her husband Chris of Parker, Colorado. He is also survived by his brother Bill of Palo Alto, California; his brother-in-law Joe VanMullem of Bozeman; his sister-in-law Debbie Kroll of Billings; his sister in-law Liz Capser of Billings; his cousin Bruce (Georgia) Wilson of Loudon, Tennessee; and by numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Betty VanMullem; his father-in-law Frank DuVal; his mother-in-law Arline DuVal; his sisters-in-law Sharon Oblander and Sandy Pirtz; and his brothers-in-law Richard DuVal, Frank Pirtz, and Frank Kroll.

Interment will be held at Mountview Cemetery in Billings, and a celebration of life for Bob will be held during the summer. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate favorite memories of Bob to share during his celebration of life.