Robert Joseph LaChance

Robert Joseph LaChance, 81, of Gillette passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Robert Joseph LaChance, born on a brisk New Year’s Day in 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri, drew his final breath on August 18, 2026, in Gillette, Wyoming with his beloved wife Deana by his side. To know Robert was to know a man whose life unfurled across the American landscape, marked by resilience, curiosity, and an artist’s hands.

From the early days of his youth, Robert’s story was written with both challenge and triumph. At the tender age of nine, he was adopted by Stanislaus and Berth LaChance, who shaped his foundational years with steadfast care and unconditional welcome. Life’s currents carried him forward; by fourteen, an earnest longing for belonging led Robert to California, where he found and reunited with his biological mother—a journey marked by courage and the unbreakable bond of family. Education shaped part of Robert’s path; he attended school in Edgemont, South Dakota, the Dakota wind and prairies etching themselves into his memory. But it was the pursuit of work and experience that truly defined his coming of age. Sixteen and undaunted, Robert ventured to Florida, drawn by the promise and salt air of the shrimp boats. He would later wind his way to Wyoming, lending his strength and spirit as a ranch hand near Sundance—each sunrise, another chance to carve meaning from the land. Robert’s working years were diverse and devoted. In 1993, Gillette, Wyoming became his home and canvas. He worked first for a cleaning company before finding his calling in the hum and rattle of local motels. For years, the Tower West motel and then the Railroad motel became his daily world, as Robert—reliable and tireless—served as head of maintenance for eight years. His steady hands kept the buildings together, just as his integrity quietly supported those around him. In 2019, Robert retired, leaving behind not just fixed fixtures and mended walls, but memories in every corner, echoes of laughter and hard work. Away from labor, Robert’s creative heart blossomed. He was a builder—not only of real rooms, but of fantastical worlds in miniature. His model railroads were marvels of patience and imagination, each one telling a new story. He crafted dream catchers and war bonnets with reverence and artistry, his nimble fingers honoring traditions and dreams alike. Robert filled his days as an avid collector, his shelves adorned with intricate model cars and carefully chosen knives, each piece a reflection of his tastes and the travels of his life. Love, too, came to Robert in more than one measure. In 1968, he married, and in 1970, the joyous arrival of his daughter marked a proud and indelible chapter. After the marriage ended in 1975, new beginnings awaited. Fate and a Wyoming wind brought Deana M. Johnson into his orbit. Their hearts entwined in Gillette, where, on December 17, 1993, they pledged their lives to each other. Deana survives him today, her memories a gentle light in the days ahead .Robert’s journey was not a straight road, but it was a road well traveled. Along the way, he met each turn with grit and wonder, leaving behind stories whispered in the halls of old motels, the delicate lines of handcrafted treasures, and the love of those who mourn and celebrate his life. Robert is survived by his wife, Deana LaChance, his sister Patty, two daughters, Flo and Cindy, a niece, Tanya Pearson and a grandson and granddaughter. He was preceded in death by three half sisters and one sister. Memorials or condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel  210 W. 5th St. Gillette, WY 82716.or expressed at wwwgillettememorialchapel.com