Robert David Joseph "Bob" Britt was born in San Rafael, California on February 17, 1935 to Richard J. and Mary (Thompson) Britt.  Bob's mother died when he was quite young. He was raised in the Sunny Hills Orphanage in Marin County, California.  Bob said it was a "good orphanage", and he made some lifelong friends there.  Bob joined the US Navy in 1955 and served aboard the USS Ozbourn.  He liked being in the Navy and was proud of his military service.  After the Navy, Bob worked for North American Aviation in California.

Bob met his future wife, Genevieve "Pat" Buum, in the early 60s in California.  When Pat returned to South Dakota in the summer of 1962, Bob followed her.  They were married in South Sioux City, Nebraska on October 11, 1962.  They bought a farm in Union County, northwest of Spink, and built a house where they lived together until September of 2015, when Pat moved to the Prairie Estates Care Center in Elk Point.  Pat passed away on September 24, 2015.

Bob started work at Electro Magic in Vermillion in 1963 and worked there until the company closed.  He was in charge of "closing the shop" and handled the liquidation of everything from tools and equipment to the furniture in the front office.  He then started his own business, "Bob's Welding", at their home on the farm and repaired farm machinery, tools and equipment for neighboring farmers.  A highlight of his work … he designed and built art presses, one for the University of Nebraska and a large one that he personally delivered to a customer in Ohio.

Bob moved to Prairie Estates in Elk Point in September of 2017.  He passed away peacefully there on October 21, 2022 at the age of 87 years, 8 months and 4 days.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; his parents, Richard and Mary Britt; an older brother, James; and his much-loved niece, Tonya Anderson.  He is survived by two sisters-in-law, Patricia Buum of Littleton, Colorado and Karen Anderson of rural Akron, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Ronald (LeAnn) Buum and Mark Buum, both of Vermillion; three nieces, two nephews, four great-nieces and three great-nephews.  Bob loved being part of our affectionate, noisy family; he will be missed!

No funeral services are planned at this time.