Alternate names

Bob Larson Cowboy Hat

Description

Description: Wide rounded brim, shallow pinch with matching band
 

History of Use

Robert (Bob) Wayne Larson was born April 19, 1945 in Medicine Hat, AB to Leonard and Dorothy Larson. Bob spent his first twelve years between Hazelwood and Val Marie, SK. Bob’s first job after he left school took him to Montana where he gathered horses in the Larb Hills. Later he worked for his Grandpa Walt Larson and several other area ranchers. In the mid 1960s, Bob and his mother purchased the “Cardineer Place” and, with the old Hazelwood ranch, started the Larson Ranch. Their partnership lasted over 30 years. Bob Larson was a family man who had a purpose to make his life meaningful and to act in such a way that some part of himself would live on in those he loved. He was a father to Leni, Jody, Heather, and Myros. Bob was well ahead of his time. He diversified his ranching operation with rodeo stock and pigs. His ability to remember bloodlines, colours, riders, bucking styles, and every other bit of rodeo trivia of every bull and bronc was remarkable. Bob and his family supplied stock for many major rodeo events covering three provinces and the northern states. He supplied stock for the Little Britches, High School College, All Indian, Old Timers, Professional CCA and MRCA, plus many open rodeos and winter events. Bob Larson raised many great bucking horses and bulls. He took a big interest in the youth and young cowboys. He understood rodeo differently than anybody else and always seemed to be able to match the animal with kid for the benefit of both the kid and the stock. He had a remarkable knack for knowing his stock. He could describe in detail the colour, size, spots, and stripes of every animal he owned. No one understood timed event cattle as well as Bob. Bobby was recognized by his peers in the late 1990s with a ‘Gold Card’ from the Canadian Cowboys’ Association and voted ‘Cowboy of the Year’ at the Canadian Western Agribition. For this he was awarded the Tiny Simpson Memorial Honours. In 1998, his son Jody and Shelly, daughter Leni and Dwight and their families took over the family ranch raising Black Angus cattle. This had been a dream of Bob’s since his early days working for Grandpa Walt. The stories about Bob Larson will continue long into the future as his family and friends remember the trips, the rodeos, the gatherings, the brandings, the roundtrips, and his great love. “Heaven is a better place today than it was because Bob is there.”