Bert Wesley Dow02/24/1948 – 04/20/2019Bert Dow died of a brain bleed suddenly and unexpectedly on April 20, 2019 at St. Vincent’s hospital in Billings, Montana. He died peacefully and without pain. He was with his family: Suzie, Brandon, Molly, Kevin, Meagan, Eleanor, and Graham. Bert was born on February 24, 1948 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Jack and Dorothy Dow. His parents took him home to a one-room bunkhouse on Dow Ranch in Big Horn. They lived in the bunkhouse until his brother, Jack Dow (Doc), was born three years later. Bert grew up in Big Horn working the ranch with his family. He graduated from Big Horn High School where he developed a lifelong love of sports and respect for education. Bert loved the outdoors. His parents taught him about ranching, fishing, and hunting. They also instilled in him solid values of kindness, family, hard-work, and honesty. Bert loved his family, his ranch, and Wyoming. He attended Chadron State College and Rocky Mountain College. He played football at both institutions and made many friends who were important to him the rest of his life. Bert served his country in Viet Nam. He was proud of his time in the military and he was honored to serve his country. His service ended when his brother, Doc, was killed in a car accident. He missed his brother for the rest of his life and often wondered what he would have been like as an adult. He married Suzie Young in Sheridan, Wyoming on November 24, 1979. We had three children, Laura, Brandon, and Kevin. We loved and supported each other for 40 years. Bert was deeply proud of his children. We lost Laura in 1999. He missed his daughter, but he knew that they had been blessed by a beautiful soul in our lives. Brandon and Kevin attended Big Horn School and continued the legacy of the Dow family in both education and sports. Bert taught school and coached in Denton, Montana and Sheridan, Wyoming. He also coached in Big Horn, Wyoming. He loved kids and spending time with them. He poured energy, intelligence, and love into his teams. His influence on hundreds of young men and women will reverberate through Sheridan County for many years. Bert loved his wife and children deeply and he was proud of them until the day he died. He felt blessed to have Meagan Connolly become Kevin’s wife and Molly HoonHanks become Brandon’s wife. We love the families his daughters-in-law brought into our lives. The greatest joy of his old age was our grandchildren Eleanor and Graham. He played wedding with Eleanor, which meant dressing up in curtains like a bride’s maid and walking around the house. He rolled around on the floor with Graham pretending to make touchdowns, enjoying the sound of his baby laughter. Bert had many close friends. He enjoyed camaraderie, fellowship, and laughing. He spent hours swapping stories and increasing the size of the fish he caught. Bert will be missed. The Dow family is blessed by the far-reaching love, friendship, and condolences of so many. It has helped us begin the healing process.We will hold a celebration for Bert on May 11, 2019 at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds starting a 2. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bert Dow Memorial Fund, which will be used to support the Big Horn Sports Complex on the school campus. Checks may be deposited directly with First Interstate Bank, or mailed to 63 Dow Rd., Sheridan, WY 82801.Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.