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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1996
Bob Barmby
EVENTS
Rodeo Livestock Contractor
Born in 1901 in California, rodeo producer, rancher, and bucking stock supplier Bob Barmby spent most of his life in a rodeo arena. At first, he contested as a roper, but in 1922, he began contracting. In 1932, he pioneered a breeding program for Brahma bulls and other bucking stock on his California ranch.
For most cowboys, the BB brand on a bull meant trouble when the chute opened. Barmby’s string included the infamous bulls Oscar, Kilroy, Tojo, and Old Hitler, as well as broncs Rag Mop, Hell Bent, and Hoot’s Hooter (once owned by movie cowboy Hoot Gibson). Barmby’s formula for raising a bronc was to “let ‘em run and feed hell out of ‘em.”
For nearly 35 years, Bob Barmby also produced rodeos in California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. Said an admirer, “Bob’s life was completely devoted to rodeo, either production, watching a rodeo, or talking about rodeo. Bob was a friend of rodeo and the rodeo cowboy.” After retiring, he continued to raise and breed bulls until his death in 1990.
EVENTS
Rodeo Livestock Contractor
Born in 1901 in California, rodeo producer, rancher, and bucking stock supplier Bob Barmby spent most of his life in a rodeo arena. At first, he contested as a roper, but in 1922, he began contracting. In 1932, he pioneered a breeding program for Brahma bulls and other bucking stock on his California ranch.
For most cowboys, the BB brand on a bull meant trouble when the chute opened. Barmby’s string included the infamous bulls Oscar, Kilroy, Tojo, and Old Hitler, as well as broncs Rag Mop, Hell Bent, and Hoot’s Hooter (once owned by movie cowboy Hoot Gibson). Barmby’s formula for raising a bronc was to “let ‘em run and feed hell out of ‘em.”
For nearly 35 years, Bob Barmby also produced rodeos in California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. Said an admirer, “Bob’s life was completely devoted to rodeo, either production, watching a rodeo, or talking about rodeo. Bob was a friend of rodeo and the rodeo cowboy.” After retiring, he continued to raise and breed bulls until his death in 1990.
