Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Robert Lee Geis

Robert "Bob" Lee Geis, age 66, of Spearfish, South Dakota, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on March 21, 2023, at Monument Hospice House in Rapid City, South Dakota. 

Bob was born November 12, 1956, in Fukuoka, Japan, at USAF Hospital to Sherry and Wini Geis. Growing up he lived in many states as his father was in the United States Air Force. After moving to Belle Fourche, South Dakota, in fifth grade he completed his schooling there and graduated in 1975.

Bob worked at the Piggle Wiggly all through high school and it was there where he met the love of his life Joan Wood in the aisles of the Pig. They were united in marriage on September 20, 1986, in Belle Fourche.

There were no children born to this union but with Joan coming from a family of nine children, there were many children 'raised' with the help of Aunt Bitty and Uncle Bob. Joan was an amazing caregiver as Bob's health declined. 

Throughout his life, Bob was employed at various businesses related to the food industry, including Nash Finch (Piggly Wiggly) where he worked in several towns in the Black Hills. Bob and Joan moved to Gillette, Wyoming, where he worked for Nabisco Foods and P & H Mine Pro Services.

After moving back to the Black Hills in 2004 he worked for Frito Lay. Bob took a lot of pride in his work and was awarded "Salesman of the Year" while working for Nabisco. There he was known as Bisco Bob! 

Bob was a kindhearted and fun-loving soul and will be greatly missed! He enjoyed playing sports and was a good athlete in football, basketball, fast-pitch softball, and golf. He was a "Dallas Cowboys" football fan through and through and was able to attend a game in Texas.

Bob enjoyed fishing, camping, four-wheeling, cooking, gardening and spending time with family. He was so handy in the kitchen he won the beef cook-off while he was in high school. We all thought he took home-ec just to meet girls...who knew? All of his family would be thrilled if Bobby Lee was bringing his famous 'Fried Rice' to any gathering. 

In 1985, he traveled to Japan with his mother to meet his aunts, uncles and cousins that lived there. That was the first and last time Bob met his relatives from Japan.

He is survived by his wife, Joan of Spearfish and special niece, Kacie Turbiville of Camp Crook, South Dakota. There are also many in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, too many to mention but all were loved by Bob.

He had a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews and greats that he spent time with. He had many fond memories of brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Sherry Geis (San Bernadino, California); mother, Wini Geis (Belle Fourche); grandparents, Clarence and Maxine Geis (Belle Fourche); uncles, Kenny Geis (Fallon, Nevada), Bill and Annabelle Geis (Belle Fourche), Cal Geis (Belle Fourche); sister-in-law, Jane McKiney (Keystone, South Dakota); cousins, Lisa Geis (Belle Fourche) and Lorri McPherson (Scottsdale, Arizona).

Services were held Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at St James Lutheran Church, Belle Fourche with Pastor Kari Webb officiating. There was a luncheon immediately following the service with inurnment following in the afternoon at Pineslope Cemetery in Belle Fourche. Bob's eyes have been donated to the Lions Eye Bank. A memorial will be established to the Hospice of the Northern Hills. 

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com