Obituary | Robert “Bob” Wiffler of Bowman, North Dakota | Krebsbach Funeral Service (2024)

Robert Lee Wiffler (aka Wiff, Coyote Bob), age 76,and a resident of Bowman, ND, died on June 3, 2023 at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD. Per Bob’s wishes there will be a sharing of memories at Krebsbach Funeral Home in Bowman, ND, at 2 p.m. June 13, 2023.

Bob was born on September 18, 1946, in Miles City, Montana to parents Robert J. Wiffler and Helen (Erickson) Wiffler. His family later expanded to include a sister (Debby) and a brother (Trace). He grew up on the family farm/ranch in Rhame, ND, attending all 12 years of school in Rhame, graduating in 1964. Bob was an excellent athlete and excelled in basketball and baseball as a Rhame Pirate—recently found out he was voted the basketball player with the best looking legs. Then it was off to college in Wahpeton, ND with his best friend, Gary Rue (everyone should have known this was trouble brewing)! After 2 years of fun and games, Bob’s Dad said “enough, you are off to the military, young man”!! Bob enlisted in the Army in 1966, and was honorably discharged in 1968. After basic training, Bob spent the rest of his service stationed in Germany where he was an administrative specialist—he had the highest of security clearances (can you even imagine that?). While stationed in Germany, Bob and a few of his Army friends traveled extensively—they remain in contact to this day and have shared stories at a few reunions. Bob cherished those guys!!

After discharge, Bob returned home and attended Dickinson State—where he lived with Roger Rugglesand Dale Hande, so you can just imagine those situations! He met and married Nancy Striebel in 1969 and moved to Grand Forks where he completed his education at UND (Go Sioux!). Bob and Nancy have 2 children, son, Paxton, born while they were in Grand Forks, and daughter, Stephanie, born after they moved to Bowman.

1971 was the year that life in Bowman started for the Wiffler family when Bob bought the Crystal Bar from Lowell Jones. From that time forward Bob was invested in the community through numerous business ventures and his work in community development. Business ventures included the Crystal Bar, Windy’sBar, the Main Bar in Scranton (owned all 3 of these at one time), the Sharivar Steakhouse, when he asked Bruce Jones to join him as a partner (a partnership that lasted over 40 years), Shuck’s Gas and Oil which expanded to Prairie Fuels in Baker, Montana (when he went to Grafton, ND and convinced Larry and Paulette Merwin to move to Baker), Wiff Rentals, G&N Rentals—companies that rented equipment in the oilfield in numerous states, an asphalite paving business in California, an ostrich ranch—the Wiffler ostrich business was featured on Good Morning America, hedeveloped the land West of the cemetery for the construction of the Industrial area, developing and selling land for the construction of Bowman’s Assisted Living Facility and the expanded residential area on the West side of town, and he was one of the “Dirty Dozen” that owned Has Beens Bar. Bob believed in quality customer service and tried to treat all of his customers and employees with the respect he felt they deserved.

Bob loved to hunt--trips goose hunting to the Leeds/York area in ND resulted in tales of glory, full freezers and friendships that have endured for many years. We think maybe limits of deer, duck, geese etc.may have been stretched just a little but silence is golden. The golf course was a pet project for Wiff over the years—he was the original dude that started the Crystal Bar Open, which became the Shuck’s Gas and Oil Open, which then grew to become the oilfield opens at the Bowman and Baker Golf Courses. There may have been a weekend or two that saw a Gin and Tonic open also! He was a master of the garden and the yard—Paxton and Stephanie (and their friends) can attest to the fact the mowing came first! Bob was an avid antique collector, a history buff, liked visiting casinos and followed all sports—especially the Bulldogs, the Sioux, the Gophers and the Vikings.

Bob is survived by his wife, Nancy, son Paxton (Allison Murkowski) Wiffler, Minnesota, daughter Stephanie (Lance) Maynard, Alaska, grandchildren Hadley, Maxwell, RJ, Easton, sister Deb (Bill) Scudder, brother Trace (Penny) Wiffler, an uncle, Ken Wiffler, nieces, nephews, cousins and members of Nancy’s family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen.

Trying to put someone’s personality on paper is impossible, and Bob was that type of someone. He worked like crazy but loved to create stories (remarkably most of the stories are true) and he was usually one of the main characters. Years ago, Kenny Bates, (the highway patrolman) said one of his missions was to keep Wiffler and Rue alive—we are so glad he did, because over the years, we have had some kind of fun.

Bob loved his family, his friends, this country, The Vikings, John Wayne, Kum and Go coffee. His advice to you is laugh, try and make others laugh and for heaven’s sake “get those potatoes planted on Good Friday”!

Memorials are suggested to the Bowman Lions Club.

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