Robert (Bob) Ramon Mendoza 78 of Box Elder, South Dakota passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Bob, a proud Marine Corp Vietnam veteran, enlisted at the age of 17; after serving his time, he was honorably discharged. To his children and grandchildren, he was a modest, humble man who never told them about his military service where he earned a rifle expert badge, a national defense service medal, a good conduct medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. As a proud veteran, he served as part of color guard in Rapid City, South Dakota, also he was affiliated with the Vietnam Veterans of America in Rapid City.

To his children and grandchildren, he was fondly known as the fedora wearing “Olpa.” They were always impressed by his lifelong love of learning and his love for music. Every time they came to visit it seemed as though he was learning a new instrument. They loved hearing him play the harmonica and most recently he was teaching himself the ukelele. He would sing then play the harmonica while his grandchildren would dance around the living room. He was a one-man band with his backup dancers. His love for playing the guitar inspired his son-in-law and daughter to play.

Bob had a passion for golf. Some would say it was an obsession. His wife believed golf was his second love, of course, she being his first. He taught his wife and children how to play and was always ready to give advice to his son-in-law. He was always on a quest for the perfect set of clubs, which is evidenced by the many golf clubs stored in various places throughout the house. In addition to being passionate about golf, he also enjoyed motorcycles. He and his wife, Debbie rescued a cat named John; Bob loved his cat.

Bob grew up in a very large family. He was the second of eleven children. Always the big brother he was responsible and helped his mother care for his younger brothers and sisters. Throughout his adult life, he maintained a close relationship with his family. He especially enjoyed golfing with his brothers, brothers-in-law, nephews, and nieces. He often took first place at the annual family, Mendoza Open Golf Tournament.

Before he entered full retirement, he worked at West Middle School in Rapid City as a substitute teacher. He loved working in special education. He found working with students with special needs very fulfilling. Throughout his life, he worked in various positions from ice cream sales, when he was a young boy, to professional dance instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in El Paso, Texas, to professional silk screener, to administration in human resources at Rapid City Indian Health Board. He was especially proud of the time he spent as a custodian at Stevens High School in Rapid City.

He was married to Debbie, the love of his life for twenty-four years. They enjoyed their life together. Most of all, they enjoyed each other’s company. Of course, he taught her how to golf.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie of Box Elder, South Dakota; daughters, Cassie (Will) Brown and grandsons, Ezra and Noah of Fairland, Oklahoma; Kristi (Erick) Cravens and granddaughters Kaytlynn, Peyton, and Maggie from Pryor, Oklahoma; his mother-in-law, Josephine Fast Wolf; siblings and their spouses Hilario (Wendy) Mendoza, Louis Mendoza, Jesse (Florine) Mendoza, Linda Hunter, Cindy (Dale) McCrea, Geri (Randy) Gutwein, Lily Mendoza, George Mendoza, Corina (Vernon) Robertson and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Corine Jewett Mendoza, his father Hilario Gonzales Mendoza, brother Ralph Gonzales Mendoza, his uncle Armando Mendoza, grandparents, aunts and uncles.