It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Robert Edward Fitch of Hardin, MT — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
The chapters of his life were many; these are some of them.
Robert held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Service is one chapter of a life, but for those who serve, it shapes every other.
Robert Edward (Mann) Fitch, 69, of Hardin, MT, passed away peacefully at the Big Horn County Hospital on May 3, 2026. "Bácheemmachialeesh" was born August 7, 1956, to Velma Mae Venne and Robert Dwayne Fitch in Crow Agency, MT.
He grew up in Crow Agency and Pryor, MT, Captain, ID and Toppenish, WA. He graduated from St. Labre Indian School in 1975, where he excelled in football and was also crowned homecoming king his senior year. Because of a shoulder injury he received playing football, he could no longer compete in bull riding. This made mom very happy about no more riding bulls. Robert met the one and only love of his life, Arlene Backbone, in 1974 and was united in marriage on May 28, 1975, in Sheridan, Wyoming. From this loving union, they were blessed with three beautiful children, Roberta, Michael and Robert.
In 1977, during the annual Crow Baptist Association camp meeting held in Pryor, Robert was baptized by Pastor Larin Kerr. A devoted member of the Crow Community Baptist Church, Robert remained actively involved in church events and activities throughout his life.
In 1981, Robert enlisted in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Ft. Benning, Georgia, Ft. Lee, Virginia, Ft. Riley, Kansas, and Pirmasens, West Germany. Throughout his military service, he remained devoted to his family, ensuring his wife and children were by his side wherever he was stationed. Robert did a year of hardship duty in South Korea and served during Operation Desert Storm/Shield in the Southwest Asia Theatre.
After 12 years of serving his country, Robert was honorably discharged in 1993. After being discharged from the following, Robert held positions at several capacities, including Tribal Roads, Tribal Security, Sarpy Mine, and most recently, housekeeping at the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Hospital, retiring last year from I.H.S. He was an avid hunter and loved to fish with his family members, especially his brother Steve Thompson. He would always share his meat and fish he caught with family members and elders who were in need.
His father and mother, his beloved wife of 50 years, Arlene, his sons, baby Robert Frank and Michael Fitch, his brothers Carl and Mark Venne, his sisters Velma Mae (Cookie) Bellrock and Myra Jackson, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his daughter Roberta (Judas) Fitch and Riley Other Medicine; grandchildren LouVon (Nathan) Doll, Summer and Millie Tapedo, Arlene Kaline, Ashleigh, Norman, Jr., Toby Other Medicine, Paetin Stops and Kat Cachora; great grandchildren Venorium Plante and Sofia Doll; sisters Alberta (Marvin) Wall, Nancy Sleeper, Ruth Phillips and Phyliss (Lynn) Slayman, Valeen, Jolene and Carol Whiteman; brothers Steve (Sherlene) Thompson, Keith and Ron (Jody) Reece, Richard and Myron Fitch, Bill (Gwen) and Franklyn Takes Horse, and Channis Whiteman; sister-in-laws Nadine (Dean) Dawes, Calley Backbone, Kathrine (Benito) Morrison, Patricia Maxwell, Lavina Passes and Ardith BirdinGround; brother-in-laws Shawn (Dyann) Backbone and Marlon (Debbie) Passes; nephews Robert "RJ" (Cristy) Fitch, Richard (Jaime) Sleeper, Josh Phillips, Phillip Beckman, Dennis Takes Horse, Davin (Lacey) Camden, Clay, Gary and Sheldon (Shelly) Dawes, Jordan (Amber) and DanDan (Valerie) Brien, Larin, Kellen and Baby Shawn Backbone; nieces Zena Venne, Laverne and Loretta Takes Horse, Myra Medicine Horse, Dezery and Charlene Sleeper, Martha and Kerri Phillips, Stephanie and Gina Reece, Nicole (Ken) Gore, Jaychelle Ten Bear, Michelle Big Hair, Tysha (Lonnie) Manzanares, Pearl (Wayne) LaForge, Kitty and Hayley Backbone.
Extended families include Venne, Takes Horse, Whiteman, Charette, Snells, Smells, Red Wolf and Williamson families.
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