Robert Damson

Robert Edward Damson passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, in Buffalo, WY. Bob was born on October 26, 1940, in Holland, MI, to Edward and Mildred Damson. After graduating from Holland High in 1958, he went west to pursue his goal of becoming a forester and living in Wyoming. He earned his B.S. Degree in Forest Management from Colorado State University in 1962 and also attended Michigan Tech and Michigan State. His career with the U.S. Forest Service included positions in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Bighorn of Wyoming, retiring after thirty years of service.

In 1963, he married his college sweetheart, Jean Karen Wales of Cheyenne Wells, CO. They had four children: Mike of Bothell, WA; Scott of LaGrange, GA; Jeff of Sheridan, WY; and Janet Renken of Tacoma, WA.

While on the Bighorn National Forest, Bob became the first Certified Silviculturist in the Rocky Mountain Region. He developed an inventory system to define the natural resources of the Forest and supervised crews of college students collecting data. Other duties included serving on the interdisciplinary team for the Forest Plan and fighting forest fires from Southern California to Michigan.

While in Sheridan, with his children in school, Bob organized, coached, and refereed soccer and floor hockey at the YMCA. He was President of the Coffeen School PTO for four years and built the first playground equipment.

In 1988, he and Jean divorced. In 1994, he married Carol (Amburg, Greenwood), whom he had met in the fourth grade and graduated with in 1958. They lived in Sheridan, WY; Lakeside, MT; Carlile, WY; and finally in Buffalo, WY.

No services are planned. Bob will be cremated, and his ashes scattered on the Big Horn Mountains.

If you wish to make a remembrance, you may contribute to Hospice at Johnson County Healthcare, 497 West Lott, Buffalo, WY 82834.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.
Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.