Robert Lee Black of Hill City passed away on September 23, 2015 under the loving care of Rapid City Hospice House. He was born on February 2, 1930 in Mitchell S.D. to Charles H. and Valeria Black. He spent his early years in Tripp, SD before settling in Rapid City where he graduated from Rapid City High School. He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation before enlisting in the Navy, where he served his country on the USS Boxer from 1948-1951. Robert worked for NW Bell for 37 years. His career took him from Belle Fourche to Rapid City, Philip, Huron, Sioux Falls, S.D., Casper, Wyo. and finally to Denver, Colorado. After retiring, he and his wife, Gayle, settled in the Black Hills, where he was active in the South Dakota Snowmobile Association, (serving as President from 1995-1997). He had an uncanny resemblance to the Gunsmoke TV character, Matt Dillon, so his participation in the "Hill City Shootout", was always favorably received by the summertime tourists. Bob was always an enthusiastic community volunteer. He was an announcer for Huron American Legion baseball and was instrumental in bringing the Huron Little League under the stewardship of the American Legion. He was also a high school football referee. After retirement, he was active in the Telephone Pioneers, serving as State President for two years. Bob is remembered with love, by Gayle, his wife of 36 years, his sister Judith Black of Spearfish, his children, Stephen (Cindy) Black, Leann Black Mueller, Christopher Black and Anthony (Mindy) Black, six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; stepdaughters, Lynn (Michael) Grout, Judy (Rod) Lindstrom, and five step-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty Lou Black.