Robert Lee “Bob” McDaniel, the 9th child of Lawrence and Virgie McDaniel, was born September 2, 1938, on the family ranch 11 miles northeast of Philip. Eagerly awaiting his arrival were Ida "Eileen", Evelyn, Gladys, Phyllis, Howard, Fred, Francis, and Harold. He was later joined by Barbara, Dorothy, Kenneth, and George.

Robert grew up in Haakon County attending Old Trail Elementary School through 8th grade and graduated from Philip High School in 1956. In 1957 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy which began a 30- year career until retiring in 1987 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (W4).

During his Navy career he served on various ships and stations throughout the United States and overseas. After completing Basic Recruit Training at Great Lakes, Illinois he went on to serve on the USS Walke DD723 (destroyer) at Long Beach, California; Naval Station, Sangley Point, Republic of Philippines: Naval Security Group Activity, Sakata, Japan; Naval Security Group Activity, Kamiseya, Japan; Navy Communication Station, Adak. Alaska; Naval Security Group Activity, Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland; Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, Georgia, USS Nereus AS17 (submarine tender) at San Diego, California; Naval Training Center, Orlando, Florida; Navy Transportation Management School, Oakland, California; USS Vega AF59 (combat cargo ship) at San Francisco, California; Naval Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut; Navy Commissary Store, Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada; and Naval Station, Corpus Christi, Texas until retirement in 1987.

During Robert's Navy career he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2 awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star, and Humanitarian Service Medal (2 awards) while serving on the USS Vega and participating in various operations in the South China Sea, including Operation Eagle Pull Cambodia March 1975, Frequent Wind evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam April 1975 and rescue of SS Mayaguez (which had been seized by Khmer Rouge rebels of Cambodia, May 1975. Also entitled to wear Navy Achievement Medal, National Service Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

While stationed in Maryland, Robert was united in marriage in 1965 to Mary Morgan, formerly of Birmingham, Alabama. A daughter Lisa Diane was born in 1967 while in Maryland. Later, while stationed in Florida, another daughter, Leigh Ann was born in 1971. Together they traveled to and lived on various bases until his retirement from active duty in 1987. This marriage ended in 1988.

After retirement from active duty, Robert worked for various Department of Defense Base Operating Service Contractors at the following locations: Naval Facility, Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory September 1987 to Feb 1990 and Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba March 1990 until retiring from full-time work in Feb 1998.

Following retirement (2nd time) Robert continued his world travels. England, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Scotland, Wales, China, Nepal, India, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Mongolia, Slovenia, Croatia, Russia, Peru, Cambodia, Vietnam, Chile, Argentina, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Borneo, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Mali were among the countries visited.

In 2004, while drifting aimlessly through life, Robert met Emily Kroetch. Thus began a wonderful relationship that continued throughout the rest of his life. Together they enjoyed life to the fullest. Traveling to Ireland, Mexico, Costa Rico, Alaska, Panama, Cuba, Thailand, Finland, Norway, Greece, Portugal, Ecuador, Israel, Niagara Falls, Hawaii, and Iceland. Whether traveling, balloon riding, zip lining, sperm testing bulls, pulling quills from a cow’s nose, riding an elephant, or going for a camel ride, Emily was always game.

Grateful for having shared his life are his best friend and partner of twenty years, Emily of Philip; his daughters, Lisa McDaniel and her partner Dale Pratt of Seattle, Washington and Leigh Ann and her husband Andrew Conver of Great Falls, Virginia; grandsons Austin Conver and Alex Conver; sisters Barbara and her husband Larry Byrne of Sundance, Wyoming and Dorothy Fortune of Quinn; former wife Mary Morgan-Smith of Reston, Virginia; brother-in-law Alfred Baye, sisters-in-law Beverly McDaniel and Dorothy Hoffman; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Virgie McDaniel, and siblings Eileen, Evelyn, Gladys, Phyllis, Howard, Fred, Francis, Harold, Kenneth and George; brothers-in-law George Kjerstad, Joe Hayek, Bud Fortune; and sisters-in-law Shirley McDaniel and Kathy Wood.

Visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Interment with military honors will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Memorial services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2024 at the United Church in Philip with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 613 Philip, SD 57567.