Robert Eugene Hogins

Robert “Bob” Eugene Hogins entered the Gates of Heaven on September 2, 2026, at the age of 78. He was surrounded by his wife and two of his children when he passed at his home in Deer Lodge, Montana. Bob had battled cancer for 14 months at the time of his death.

Bob was born on August 29, 1948, at St. Josephs Hospital in Burbank, Ca. to Thomas and Gladys (Erickson) Hogins. He attended grade school at Village Christian School in Burbank and graduated from Burbank High School in 1966.

Bob began developing his God Given talent of playing music at the age of 5. He started on the piano and this was his lifelong love and he never stopped playing. His musical career took him all over the USA and many parts of Europe. Bob played with many notables including Buddy Miles and Carlos Santana even doing albums with them. Bob always said he played Bach to Rock and after receiving his Master’s Degree in Conducting from the San Francisco State University he dedicated his life to Worship music.

Bob led Worship in Florida, California, Washington and Montana. After moving to Montana in 2020 Bob directed the Deer Lodge Community Choir which he dearly loved and brought so much joy to him and the audience. After each performance he would be on a high for about a week then start on the next concert with Gusto.

Bob was a very humble man and never fully realized how much joy he brought into the lives of so many people through his music – he touched hearts deeply.

On October 2, 2010, Bob married Sherryl Meier in the home of Mike and Sue Neil on Raft Island, Washington. Their lives then went from Washington to California to care for his mother until her passing and then back to Washington and finally Montana. Bob always said, “we live just a bit outside of Heaven.”

Besides his music, Bob loved hiking, off-roading, (he never saw a road that he did not want to explore), biking, yard work, jigsaw puzzles, documentaries and more. He also loved plaid shirts. He was a member of Christ Fellowship Church, Deer Lodge and the Deer Lodge Christian Men.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sherryl, his children Sharla Baker (Paul), Jonathan Hogins (Kili), Kathryn Brown (Jason) and Benjamin Hogins, stepchildren Christopher Schwenneker (Erica), Jill Gulley (Steve) and Tabatha Scammon. grandchildren; Daniel, Levi and Kaylee Hogins, Archer and Penelope Brown, Mara and Hannah Schwenneker, Averey Hutt, Preston and Paige Gulley and Mitch Scammon, sister-in-law, Rayjean Nunes and brother-in-law Craig Meier (Joanne) and ex-wife Liz Humes.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Michael and sister-in-law Donna Ploog and ex-wife Christine DeMao.

Bob’s memorial service will be October 10, 2026, at 11:00 at Christ Fellowship Church, Deer Lodge with a gathering right after in the fellowship hall.

Memorial donations may be made to Christ Fellowship Church or the Deer Lodge Ministerial Association. Sherryl would like to Thank Christ Fellowship Church for all of their support in so many ways, Ruth Chambers, Peggy Jensen and the entire oncology unit at Community hospital of Anaconda and Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home.

Bob’s first and last love was music – he often said “if he couldn’t play he didn’t know how he would survive.”

He is now surrounded by music 24/7 – music the likes of which he has never heard!

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home has been privileged to care for Robert and his family.