Robert “Bob” Mutch passed away in his sleep on December 18th, after a fall on the 13th that resulted in a serious head injury. He was 90 years old. In November 2023, he moved to Sheridan, WY from Missoula, MT, to be with his sons and grandson.

Bob was born on March 5, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Earl and Nellie Mutch. He graduated from Orange High School in 1952 and attended Albion College in Michigan, where he earned a B.A. in Biology and English and played football. It was there that he met Sara "Sally" Ball, and they married in September 1956. The couple then drove cross-country to Montana, where Bob had worked seasonally as a smokejumper in 1954-55. They both enrolled at the University of Montana, where Bob earned an M.S. in Forestry in 1959.

Bob's interests in fire science led him to the Northern Forest Fire Laboratory in Missoula in the early 1960s, where he did research on wildland fuels and fire behavior. In 1970, Bob and colleagues launched a groundbreaking project to allow lightning-caused fires to play a natural role in wilderness ecosystems. Their research in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness led to the first U.S. Forest Service Wilderness Fire Management Plan, which was approved in 1972.

Subsequent jobs included fire management on the Lolo National Forest from 1977-1982, next a position as the regional fire use specialist until 1986, then a position as Program Manager for international disaster relief in Washington, D. C. from 1986-1991. At the end of his career, he returned to Missoula, Montana to do technology transfer - providing fire science information to fire managers in the U. S. as well as internationally. He was a great communicator about fire's importance in ecosystems, and inspired others in both fire science and management.

Though retired by 1994, Bob continued to consult on fire management and firefighter safety internationally. He often spoke of his life’s purpose: striving for “harmony between people and ecosystems.”

Bob was beloved by his colleagues in the wildland fire community; he received numerous awards for his work. His contributions to fire science and management have left a lasting legacy.

Both Bob and Sally cultivated a love of nature in their children, who loved exploring where they grew up in Montana as well as other places, including fishing in Alaska and a bicycle trip in Hawaii. They enjoyed camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, and their sons hunted and pursued falconry. Bob introduced daughter Linda to backpacking and fieldwork in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, fostering her interest in outdoor careers.

His family and friends will miss his enthusiasm for life and generous spirit. He is survived by his sons Dale and Brian, daughter Linda (Tony Caprio), grandson Dillon, nephews André, Thomas, and Teddy Mutch,

sister-in-law Kathy Mutch, and his loyal black lab, Cassie. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sally, brother John, and niece Viera.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (wffoundation.org), which supports injured firefighters and the families of those killed in the line of duty.

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