Robert Lee Stayton, 81

Robert Lee Stayton, 81, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at his residence in Bigfork. Bob was born on Nov. 11, 1928, in Great Falls, to Welby and Mattie Stayton. He was raised on a small farm and started formal art training at the age of six. In those beginning years, Bob drew and painted farm animals, wildlife and scenery of the Rocky Mountains. Horses dominated Bob s life, and he became an accomplished rider at an early age. He spent his preteen and teen years in the remote Centennial Valley, working as a ranch hand and honing his riding skills. Bob enjoyed storing the mental images of the ranch stock, wild animals and scenery while moving the herd. A serious riding accident ended his intended career as a professional jockey, so Bob headed for college and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University. He studied Industrial, Architectural and Commercial Design and he graduated with a design and art education major. Bob had both an enjoyable and successful career as a teacher and industrial designer, as well as many years as an interior business and commercial designer. Throughout his life, Bob maintained his ties with his native Montana and chose to stay close to his early roots in the Big Sky Country. In 1980, with three sons well into their own careers, he chose to pursue his fine art career full time and created many excellent works in bronze. Bob spent his last years in the Flathead Valley of western Montana, near the foundry where he spent a great deal of time personally overseeing the production of his sculptures. The influence of his early encounters with nature, combined with his heritage of Celtic boldness and American Indian sensitivity, formed the foundation upon which Bob s work was based, containing a unique blend of form, balance, rhythm, color and style that brought to life the clear, primitive beauty of each piece. He commented, The freedom to imagine and dream the life of a cowboy and outdoorsman is exciting, but to have lived and experienced the life is exhilarating. The sculptor must be on guard that the eye does not deceive as it is the touch that brings life to his creations. Bob s sculptures have been displayed in galleries in Indiana, Montana, West Virginia, Connecticut, Idaho and Colorado, and he has received numerous awards since 1982. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; and three sons, Lee and wife, Barbara, of Ashland, Mass., Jay and wife, Beverly, of Bigfork, and Russ and wife, Joanie, of Kalispell; a sister, Bernice; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services for Bob will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork, with Pastor Kathy Young officiating. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Bob s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Bob s tribute wall.