Courtesy ProRodeo
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Bob A. Robinson of Hagerman, Idaho, a ProRodeo Hall of Fame steer wrestler, passed away Dec. 16 at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho. He was 84.
Robinson has been a big influence in the sport of rodeo. He joined the PRCA in 1958 and competed at both ends of the arena as a steer wrestler and a saddle bronc rider. He competed in saddle bronc riding at the National Finals Rodeo in 1959 and in 1960 he competed in both saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling, winning the world steer wrestling title in 1960 and finishing runner-up in the all-around category that same year, behind Harry Thompkins.
Robinson was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2006.
Robinson competed professionally for 14 years, and in 1980, became one of the first pro officials for the PRCA. In September 1982, he became the PRCA’s director of rodeo administration, and he and his wife Emma, moved from Idaho to Colorado Springs.
During that time, his responsibilities included negotiating prize money with rodeo committees, overseeing the eligibility of cowboys, interpreting and enforcing PRCA rules and coordinating rodeo listings and approvals. He was also instrumental in moving the NFR from Oklahoma City, Okla., to its current location in Las Vegas in 1985. His son, Jade, followed in his footsteps by serving as a ProRodeo official for more than 19 years, working every NFR during that time.