Bob and Gwen Tatum Dec. 22, 2024 – Jan. 6, 2025

Robert Tatum

Robert “Bob” G. Tatum, 88, of Ellendale, North Dakota, died peacefully at home in Ellendale on December 22, 2024. There was a private burial on December 24.

Bob was born July 19, 1936, to Cullen and Ida (Pierrot) Tatum in Riverton, Wyoming. He was raised on a farm in the Lander, Wyoming, area and graduated from Fremont County Vocational High School in Lander in 1954. Bob graduated from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, with a BS in Physical Education and minors in English and Industrial Arts. He earned his Masters degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1962 from the University of Wyoming at Laramie where he was also a graduate assistant for defense and the Freshman football team.

While in college, Bob met Gwen Bowler at a “Bachelor and Bachelorette” square dancing event in Billings, and on August 13, 1959, they married. Bob and Gwen had five children - Tim, Becky, Toby, Jill, Todd.

Bob was involved in many different organizations throughout his life, but the most significant were Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Republican Party, and Gideons.

He taught and coached in Burlington, Shoshoni, and Kemmerer, Wyoming, before moving to California where he taught at Brawley Union High School, Keystone Christian School, and Santa Fe Christian School.

In 1983, Bob and his family moved to Ellendale, North Dakota, where he taught, coached football and basketball, and served as Athle...