Robert Miller Obituary, Death – Robert Dean “Bob” Miller, 83, of Fordville, North Dakota, died on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at First Care Health Center in Park River, North Dakota. Bob Miller was born on June 30, 1939 in Grafton, North Dakota, to Dean and Eleanor (Trzcinski) Miller. He grew up on the family farm, attending rural school, then Fordville 7th and 8th grades before graduating from Walsh County Agricultural School in 1958. He was a football player for the Aggies, garnering the moniker “The Crusher.” Bob was involved in 4H, music, and FFA, serving as a state officer and singing in the national FFA chorus. He earned a degree in both animal science and history from NDSU. He played freshman football at NDSU, was a member of the Saddle & Sirloin Club, served on livestock judging teams, and competed in the Little International.

Robert married Rose Lynne Beetz in East Grand Forks, Minnesota in 1961. They raised four children and farmed with his father Dean and brother Jim on the family property. Bob’s biggest joy, aside from his family, was raising registered shorthorn cattle. He favored the colors red, white, and Roans. There were few that were more faithful to the shorthorn breed. He was a member of the American Shorthorn Association, the North Dakota Shorthorn Association, and the North Dakota Stockman’s Association, and he co-founded the North Dakota Shorthorn News with the Ness Press Tri County Sun of Fordville. Robert and his family spent many years showing cattle at the North Dakota Winter Show and the National Western in Denver, CO. He was named “Builder of the Breed” in 1977, “Man of the Year” in 1986, and “ND Winter Show Appreciation Award” in 1999. Robert was also a member of Fordville’s First Presbyterian Church.

Bob was a stubborn, industrious, and honest man who instilled in his family a strong work ethic and a love of the land. He enjoyed gardening, polka dancing, and early rock and roll. He enjoyed discussing politics and history. Following his stroke in 2021, he was relieved to come home but frustrated that he couldn’t work on the farm. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rose Lynne, daughters Roberta Francis (Gene) of Adams, ND and Lisa Montgomery of New York, NY; son Philip (Marilyn) of Devils Lake, ND; daughter-in-law Joan Miller Swartz (Jarrett); brother Jim (Joan), sister Linda Larson (Gary), sisters and brothers-in-law: Daphne (Bob) Sobolik and Ann (Denis) Molena His parents, mother and father-in-law, brother Mike, cherished son Ian, and son-in-law, Marvin Montgomery, predeceased him.