Robert Michael Zumwalt

Robert Michael Zumwalt, aka Bobby, Bob, Bob Cat, 68, resident of Anadarko, Oklahoma, died Sunday, September 15, 2019 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Oklahoma City from complications due to Leukemia. Robert was born December 16, 1950 in Anadarko, Oklahoma to Josephine Valdez Zumwalt of Walters, Oklahoma and William Paul Zumwalt of Anadarko, Oklahoma. He was an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe and out of the Valdez Family. He was related to Paul Tsait'Kope Tah. His Grandmothers were Susie Ah-Kaun and Amy Daun-Geah-Day, who held the original allotments near Anadarko. His mother Josephine taught Robert the importance of holding on to the land and the ties to it. That lesson stayed with him throughout his life, along with never being afraid of anyone or anything. Josephine taught Bob to always go to the top if you couldn't get an answer, regardless of who that person might be, i.e. The mayor, bank president or tribal leader. Robert always held these teachings close to his heart and always acted on them. Those who have worked with him know that Bob could always be counted on to say what needed to be said, regardless if it was hard to hear.

Robert and Mary Anne Pinezaddleby were married on November 2, 1985 in Oklahoma City at the Bishop Angie Smith Chapel on the Oklahoma City University campus. They spent much of their time working hard, then playing hard when the time allowed. Together, they explored Hawaii, Puerto Rico, St Thomas and much of the Western United States. While Bob and Mary never had any children, they were the proud parents of two German Shepherd dogs, Dutch and Anya. Later they had the privilege of adopting the grandchildren and children of their friends who shared their lives.

Robert grew up in Anadarko and attended Saint Patrick's Catholic School. He served as an Altar Boy at St. Pat's along with many of the friends he grew up with. While in High School, he attended the Upward Bound program held in the summers at Southwest Oklahoma State University under the direction of J. R. Cook. He had many friends from this period in his life. He graduated high school in Anadarko with the class of 1969. He then attended a work training program in San Jose, California following graduation. He joined the United States Air Force in October, 1970. He went through basic training starting in 1970 at San Antonio at Lackland Air Force Base. He was an emergency room medic at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. He finished his military career in October 1977 at OFFUTT Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. His title at the time of discharge was a non-commissioned officer with the title of NCO E5 Staff Sergeant. After the military, he spent a month in Salt Lake City and then went to work for 2 years at the Hawaii Indian Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He returned from Hawaii out of concern for his mother's health and went back to school at Oklahoma City University. He graduated from OCU in 1982 with a degree In Business Management. Bob worked for his sister with the family smoke shop for several years before opening a coffee bar in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He began his pursuit of a career in fitness and health by opening a gym in Anadarko. Then he went to work for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes as the Program Director of the Reach 2010 Special Diabetes Program. In 2010, he left the Wichita's to work for the Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Program as a Fitness Specialist. He received an outstanding employee of the year award in 2014 from Indian Health Service Central Office in Bethesda, Maryland, recognizing his accomplishments. His biggest joy was working with the elders, Riverside youth, the seven tribes, Headstart, and young people in the community. He was dedicated to promoting wellness through healthy eating and exercise among the tribal communities.

His hobbies included strength training, bike riding, walking and hiking. He was proud of his accomplishment of hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to river to rim in one day. He liked going to the Indian tournaments to watch his friends play. Above all else, he enjoyed watching them win. He left a strong impact on the communities in Anadarko, and the surrounding areas. He would constantly encourage people the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and prevention of serious illness. He was always looking for new and innovative ways to bring fitness and health to the people in the community.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mary Anne; his special niece/daughter Mervala Jean Zumwalt; sister Carol Lee Light; brother Mervyn Zumwalt and his wife, Viola; all of Anadarko, Oklahoma; his nieces E'vonne Zumwalt and Misty April Zumwalt, and Nephew Joseph Zumwalt, John D. Pinezaddleby, brother-in-law, of Lawton Oklahoma, Susan Crenshaw, of Fort Worth, Texas; close friends J. R. Cook, of Oklahoma City, Daniel and Linda Yanagihara of Honolulu, Hawaii, Flint Carney of Scottsdale, Arizona, Bobby and Sue Harjo of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Val and Paul Tate of Fort Cobb, Oklahoma; and Goldie and Lila Kaulaity of Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, and a host of cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Josephine Valdez Zumwalt and William Paul Zumwalt, Jay Light, brother-in-law. The wake service is scheduled for Thursday evening at 7:00 pm at Wares Chapel, 5 miles west of Anadarko. This church has significant meaning to Robert, as his two grandmothers Susie and Amy were charter members. Officiating at the wake and Funeral will be Dusty Miller, pastor of Wares Chapel and assisted by Paul Tate, Sr., First Apache Baptist Church.

The Funeral Services will be at the First Baptist Church of Anadarko on Friday morning at 10:00 am. There will be a meal served after the burial at Memory Lane Cemetery. The US Air Force Color Honor Guard will give the salute and TAPS for Robert. The Kiowa Black Leggings Society will follow with their Honoring Ceremony.