Robert Wetzel Orchard, Jr.
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Robert "Rob" Wetzel
Orchard, Jr., life-time Ten Sleep resident, passed away on January 2, 2018 at the Washakie Medical Center. He was 85.
Robbie was born on April 17, 1932 in Denver, Colorado to Robert Wetzel, Sr. and Marlene Adell (Chamberlain) Orchard. He attended elementary school in Cody, WY and High School in Denver, CO. All the while, spending his summers on the "Cowboy Crew" at the ranch. Following his graduation from East Denver High School in 1950 he attended CU in Boulder where he earned his degree in Business.
At that time, the family had permanently moved to the ranch full time.
He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from December 1956 to July of 1958. He was a First Lieutenant Fighter Pilot. It was there that he learned and earned his passion for flying.
His passion and skill of piloting a plane proved to be very valuable throughout his life. Known as the "eye in the sky" he was able to locate animals, people and landmarks. He always kept his skills sharp.
Rob married Mary Louise Hurst on February 15, 1958. To this union was born Charles, Chris, Robin, Mark and April. The couple later divorced.
Rob married Phyllis Caines in 1984. The mother of Jim Lee (Barb) and Berle Marie Tiskus. Phyllis lived on the ranch until the time of her death on September 14, 2014.
Rob married Susanne Joy Tippetts on February 26, 2015. They were sealed in the LDS Temple on November 3, 2016.
Rob loved his livestock and the land in which he raised them. He was a true cattle man. In his day, he was an avid skier and loved the sport of wrestling to which he devoted much time to. His biggest joy was "winding up the rubberband" on his airplane and just go flying. Any day was a good day if he got to fly.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Rob is survived by his wife, Susanne; sons: Charles (Cathy) of Ten Sleep, Chris (Penni) of Grants Pass, OR, Mark (Linda) of Rexburg, ID; daughters: Robin (John) McClure of Cody, April (Jeff) Nelson of Ten Sleep; grandchildren: Molly (Kyle) Gunnarson, Jon Orchard and Anna (Zach) Hoffman all of Bozeman, MT, Jenna (Roland) Hilliges of Germany; Adam (Julie) Orchard of Orem, UT, Nathan, Christa and Amber Orchard all of Portland, OR; Mary Orchard of Rexburg, ID, Ben (Abbey) Orchard of New York, NY, Elizabeth (Calvin) Pingry and Rachel all of Rexburg, ID; Lacy and J.D. Nelson of Ten Sleep; Brother, J. Kent (Jo) Orchard of Ten Sleep.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services at the Church. Cremation will follow and his ashes will be spread on the ranch he so dearly loved at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Worland High School Wrestling Team in care of Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401 or to a local charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.
