For about 50 years, Bob Rowling hardly had a day off. He was too busy making Butte a better place as the Butte-Silver Bow Parks & Recreation Director. 

He also served as a sports official, officiating football, basketball and softball.

Affectionately known as “Rollo,” Rowling refereed football at the Frontier and Big Sky Conference level. He officiated basketball in the Frontier and worked countless high school football and basketball games. He worked well into his 70s.

Even at the end of his career, Rollo was one of the best officials around. He was also in charge of the Butte officiating pool in basketball and football, and nearly every official still working was recruited into stripes by Rollo.

Rollo met me at Metals Sports Bar & Grill for this fun, long conversation.  Listen in as Rollo talks about that incredible career. Listen as he tells the story of opening Interstate 90 without permission. Listen to how he ended up playing water polo against Olympians in San Francisco.

Listen to how he knows every day is going to be a good one if he starts it off with a laugh.