Robert “Bob” Dale Halseth passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in an assisted living facility in Minot, after a long bout with Lewy Body Dementia.

Robert was born to Elmer and Ethel (Skoglund) Halseth on July 31, 1937 at the hospital in Ray, North Dakota. He was the second of six siblings. Much of his childhood was spent making mischief with his older brother, Ernest.

Robert was raised in rural Epping. He went to the Stewart Country School through 8th grade, then attended Epping High School where he also played basketball for the Eagles. Robert was confirmed in the Epping Lutheran Church.

At 14 years old, just before he was old enough to get a driver’s license, Robert started working as a farm laborer for Clarence Erickson, his future father-in-law. He also spent one summer working on the railroad. In 1958, Robert went out west and worked at Boeing for six months in Renton, WA.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to when he was honorably discharged in 1961. He had his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Then he was transferred to Fort Ord, California before being deployed to Okinawa where he was stationed for almost two years. Robert received his GED while serving in the Army.

Robert married Louise Erickson on April 13, 1963 at the Epping Lutheran Church. First, they lived in Homestead, MT where Robert worked as a farm laborer for two seasons. In 1965, they moved to Williston and Robert started working at the Hardy Salt Plant. Their two sons, Thomas and Joseph, were born in Williston.

In 1980, Robert and Louise moved with their boys back to rural Epping. Robert took over the Erickson family farm and started his career as a full-time farmer. He farmed for almost 30 years, retiring in 2008. They continued to share their life on the farm until 2017 when Robert’s health started to decline, and they moved to Williston. In 2022, they both moved to Minot to be closer to their son and his family.

Robert loved to hunt and fish, especially bow hunting for whitetail bucks and pronghorns. Long walks with a rifle or bow were some of his best times. He got his start in hunting and fishing as a young boy, thanks to his good friend, Tilford Lowdermilk and his father, Lester Lowdermilk.

He also enjoyed golfing, and watching boxing, football, and golf on television, as well as watching Western shows. In their younger days, he and Louise often went to the drive-in movies when they were able.

Robert was a humble man of few words. He loved his family dearly. He preferred not to stray too far from home. He disliked attention immensely and would have objected to the family pointing out some of his skills. He made it into the papers for high points on a pronghorn at a Pope & Young competition, as well as a hole-in-one at the local golf course. He won awards for his sharpshooting while in the military and for archery competitions at home.

He is survived by his wife of 60+ years, Louise; sons, Thomas (Rebekka) Halseth of Mount Rainier, MD, and Joseph (Leslie) Halseth of Surrey, ND; grandsons, Ryker Halseth and Conner Warbis, both of Surrey, ND; siblings, Betty Halseth of Minot, Donald (Darlene) Halseth of Riverdale, Peggy (Ted) Bearce of Williston, and Judy Schroeder of Minot; in-laws, Clifford (Donna) Erickson of Sturgis, KY, and Esther Beazley of Bismarck, ND; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ethel Halseth; his in-laws, Clarence and Judith Erickson; his aunts; uncles; his brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Joyce Halseth; brother-in-law, Gary Beazley; and his granddaughter, Olivia AnneMarie Halseth.