Robert Dunsmore

Robert Dunsmore, 64, of Eagle Butte, passed away May 11, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls. 

Funeral services will be 9:00 a.m. MDT, Thursday, May 22, 2025, at CEB Auditorium, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. MDT at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis. A wake will be 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the auditorium with a procession from the 4-Mile at 3:00 p.m. 

Robert Leslie Dunsmore was born December 26, 1960, in Hot Springs, SD to Charles W. Dunsmore and Pansy McBride Dunsmore. Bob lived his early life in Hot Springs and Ft. Thompson on the Crow Creek reservation. Back then, everyone knew him as Bobby D. He lost his parents at a young age and learned early how to look out for himself. As a kid, he spent his days fishing and being outdoors, places where he felt free and at peace. He became a ranch hand as a teenager and developed a love for bull riding that stayed with him for life. At just 17, he joined the Army, where he served in aircraft structural repair and received an honorable discharge in 1981.

After his military service, he worked on ranches and wasn’t afraid of hard work. He liked working with his hands—fixing cars, building things, and taking on whatever project came his way. Over the years, he held a variety of jobs, including roles at several casinos, working as an environmental cleaner, and serving as a bartender. Each role added to his wide range of skills. He was a true jack of all trades who could figure out just about anything (except cooking, he never got good at that). In 2008, Bob was the first Native American to be accepted and graduate from North Bennet Street School in Boston, MA where he received a diploma for carpentry.

Later that year, he was at Cheyenne River reservation to help his brother, Merle. He started seeing Monalisa Brings Horse and they married on November 18, 2008. Here he gained daughters, Kristan, Jesselyn, Kelli and grandson, Anobie.

Bob was a member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, and in 2023 he became an honorary member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Throughout his life, Bob was deeply committed to supporting not only veterans but also families and communities across the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and beyond. While much of his work focused on veterans’ advocacy, his heart was with the people—working to create access, support, and recognition where it was needed most.

In September 2009, he became a National Accredited Service Officer, launching a distinguished career in veterans advocacy. A proud member of the Cheyenne River Veterans Association—the first National Indian Accredited Honor Guard—and Legion Post 308, he worked tirelessly to ensure veterans received the support and recognition they deserved.

His efforts included helping complete the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Veterans Building and securing grants for veteran housing assistance. He played a key role in coordinating emergency services, partnering with the National Guard Lakota Helicopters to respond to medical and other urgent needs on the reservation.

Bob also worked closely with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council and the National Congress of American Indians to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Health Service, improving emergency medical care access for veterans. On an individual level, he was known for helping veterans navigate paperwork and address pressing personal matters with care and consistency.

As an advocate on the local, state, and national levels, Bob was skilled at bringing people and organizations together. He helped initiate an Advisory Board that included VA Black Hills Area Representatives, Vision 23, and the Native American Veterans Committee. His leadership extended to cultural efforts as well—he worked with federal programs to distribute eagle and red-tail hawk feathers to fellow veterans and was instrumental in developing a Veterans Memorial Park in partnership with the Game, Fish & Parks Program.

In August 2012, Bob was elected Vice President of the South Dakota Veterans Service Officers Association Executive Board, where he continued to elevate Native veterans’ voices. He also served for eight years on the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition Veterans Committee and was recently elected National American Indian Veterans Regional Commander for South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska.

Bob stood proudly among honor guards at powwows across the region and beyond. He supported causes he believed in, including standing in solidarity with the NoDAPL movement. He also worked to ensure that Native World War I and World War II code talkers received long-overdue recognition, and was a key reason the Cheyenne River Veterans Association became the caretakers of the 9/11 flag.

Through it all, he remained rooted in his care for the people. Whether advocating at the national level or helping someone one-on-one, Bob’s work reflected a deep love for his community, a belief in standing up for others, and a life spent making sure no one was forgotten.

He was a people person and a bridge across divides—someone who could connect with just about anyone. He had a way of seeing the potential in others and encouraging them to take a chance on themselves. Bob was loving and loyal, quick to laugh, and always willing to listen without judgment. He gave of himself freely and never asked for anything in return.

He is survived by his wife, Monalisa; daughters: Kristan (Silas) of Eagle Butte, Jesselyn (Sunny) of Sisseton, Kelli (Tyson) of Ballard, UT;  hunka son, Young Guns Mervin Hill Jr. of Eagle Butte; hunka brother, George La Mont of Rapid City; sister, April Pohawpatchoko of Lawton, OK; grandchildren: Anobie, Anahla and Anika Knife, Nasir and Neo Zephier, and Sonja Thompson; aunt, Reva Griffith; and many nephews, nieces, and grandchildren who were precious to him as well as numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; maternal grandparents, Moses and Bessie McBride; paternal grandparents, William and Amy Dunsmore; brothers: Merle (Ethelyn) Sargeant, Ted (Iris) Sargeant, Kermit Sargeant, and Ivan (MaryLee) Sargeant; and hunka brothers, Francis Martinez and Droop Drapeau.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Cheyenne River Veterans, c/o Eagle Butte State Bank, PO Box 10, Eagle Butte, SD 57625.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Robert’s arrangements.