Robert Louis Leader Charge

Robert Louis Leader Charge (Leedom), 87, of Lame Deer, Montana passed away August 27, 2023.  He was born to Ben and Florence Trudell Leedom on January 23, 1936 in Winnebago, Nebraska.

Robert started law enforcement duties at the age of 17 in Winnebago in 1953.  The story goes that everyone on the police force had fallen ill, including his father, who was Town Marshall at the time.  They gathered several young individuals to make up the “new” police force.  He continued law enforcement throughout his life.  He became Chief of Police for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and held the position for several years.  Later he became a Rosebud County Deputy Sheriff.  He traveled to Nevada where he was on the police force for Las Vegas.  Robert was also a certified carpenter.  He helped build Unit 1 & 2 in Colstrip with MT Power.

In his younger years, Robert traveled in the PRCA Rodeo Circuit.  He was known as “Farm Boy.”

He loved to rodeo and had many scars to prove it.  His traveling buddy was Bud Lindermann.  He always said it was the best time of his life.  He also loved watching Rodeo TV every night.

Working with leather was a hobby he loved.  He made chaps, saddlebags, belts and vests for rodeo cowboys.  He would restore saddles, making them look like new.  Cowboys far and near had a pair of his chaps.

He was a well-known artist.  Oil painting was another passion.  He loved to paint and held many art shows throughout Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Pearl Rowland, sisters, Helen Rager, Mary McKeegan, Debbie Leedom, daughter, Elaine Snake, grandson, Zachary Leider, son, Aaron Sampson, and nephews, Tyler McKeegan and Roland Ebert.

Survivors include his brother, Richard Leedom of Jefferson, Iowa; daughters, Mary (Ron) Leedom Peppers of Lame Deer, MT; Annie (George) Lane of Chamberlain, SD; son, Claude (Terrie) Leedom of Sheridan, WY; adopted daughter, Philinga (Chad) Anderson of Ashland, MT; nephew, Kevin Ebert of Winnebago, NE; grandchildren, Buster (Regine), Jeremy Leider (Michelle), William, Savannah Peppers, Sarah (Tony) Leedom Orozco, Ben (Sammy) Leedom, Jessica Leedom, TeNeyl, Teryn Leedom, Taylor Hayes, T’lye Hayes, Stephanie, Shelby Benoit, Robert Chase Leedom, Dayna Pearl, Derrick, and Little John Vettleson; great-grandchildren, Tabrien, Ronnie, Marianna Leider, Cindy Pearl, Chloe, Xavier Orozco, Avalynn, Trenton James, Delilah Rose, Codah, Novah Leedom, Ozzy Hanson, Tinley, Ezra Abalos, and Avaya Leedom.

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