Robert Ames

Robert's Tribute Video

Robert Ames, 86, of Miller, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at the Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.

Funeral service were held at 10:00a.m., Friday, July 20, 2007, at the First Methodist Church, Miller with Rev. David Andrews officiating. Burial was in G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller, directed by Reck Funeral Home of Miller. Visitation was held from 3:00-7:00p.m., Thursday, July 19 with a 7:00p.m. prayer service at Reck Funeral Home in Miller.

Bob was born on March 20, 1921 to Charles Franklin and Sarah “Sadie” Elizabeth (Cox) Ames in rural Tulare. He was the third of ten children. Bob grew up on several farms in Spink and Hand Counties and also in Miller. He attended several schools in the area. Bob was a lifetime farmer, farming at several locations before establishing the family farm northeast of St. Lawrence in 1954. He added additional parcels to the family farm and lived there until moving to Miller in 2006.

Bob and Ruth Dorothy Lena Frick married on October 12, 1946 with the Reverend Ernst officiating. They were married for 52 years until her death in December 1998. Children played an exceptionally important role in their married lives. They adopted two sons, Wayne and Scott in 1967. They regarded numerous nieces and nephews as their own children and they took in 14 foster children.

Bob was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church and longtime member of Greenleaf Methodist Church and served in many capacities. He was also a member of the Gideon’s for many years. After Ruth’s death, he established the Ruth Dorothy Lena Frick Ames Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund to help many local students earn their nursing degrees since its establishment in 1999. Bob was well known by friends and family for having a servant’s heart and always helping those in need.

Bob memory will be cherished by his two sons: Wayne (Patricia) Ames of Huron and Scott (Margaret) Ames of Rock Island, Illinois; three brothers: David (Delores) Ames of Miller, Kenneth (Norma) Ames of Longmont, Colorado, and Stephen (Geraldine) Ames of rural Virgil; two sisters: Alice Baruth of Woonsocket and Sally (Jim) Schatz of Tripp; six grandchildren: Sarah, Kevin, Bridget, Alan, Tamisen and Eric; his special friend, Minerva Jacobs and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; parents; two brothers: Wes and Don; and two sisters: Ruth and Edna.

Memorials can be directed to the South Dakota Community Foundation, memo line: Ruth Frick Ames Scholarship.