Robert Eugene Riddle

(Worland, WY) Robert Eugene Riddle, 87, died October 9, 2013 at Spirit Mountain Hospice in Cody, Wyoming. He was born in a small cabin in Ten Sleep, WY on April 14, 1926, the oldest of four children. Gene lived a joyous childhood in spite of the Great Depression, sharing adventures exploring the creeks and caves of the Big Horn Mountains with his siblings and numerous cousins. When he was 9, he and his younger sister built a child-sized log cabin on the mountain.

When Gene was 17, he volunteered for the US Navy. He was proud to serve his country in the Pacific during World War II on the USS Sabik. He served from June, 1943 to August, 1946 and was present both at the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the atom bomb test at Bikini Island.

Gene was honorably discharged and returned to Ten Sleep after his service to help his father run their trucking company. He also sprayed crops in his Piper airplane. He loved to fly and continued to do so for many years.

On September 17, 1950, Gene married Barbara Brown in Cody, WY. They raised four children. Gene enjoyed playing golf with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching the Colorado Rockies play baseball.

Gene was an accomplished fisherman, pilot, carpenter, and mechanic. He was employed by Mobil Oil Company for 32 years. At the time of his retirement in 1986, he was senior production supervisor of a multi-state area, but was based in his beloved Wyoming. Innovations he made in the field are still being used today. He and Barbara then moved from Big Piney to Basin.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Leroy and Frances Riddle and two sisters, Lois Mulholland and Joan Riddle. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his brother, Kenneth (Laverne) Riddle, Shawnee, OK and four children: Jan (Bob) Goodrich, Spearfish, SD, Darrel (Grace) Riddle, Rapid City, SD, Joyce (Al) Watson, Enid, OK, and Dale (Cathy) Riddle, Springville, UT, ten grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.