Obituary of Thomas Robert Bear

Thomas Robert Bear Looks Back blessed our lives  on June 18, 1990.  His loving parents, Marvin and Frela Bear Looks Back welcomed him in Rapid City SD.  

Thomas was the youngest of three cubs.  His older brother, Lyle was 15 years his senior and they had a brotherly bond from day one.  Tom and his older sister Mary had a competitive relationship but there’s no question of how much they loved each other.  Through life’s worst challenges, they were always together.

His parents, as strong as their name, loved him.  As children do, Tom brought joy and happiness with his life.  Although he spent most of his life in Arizona; Tom considered South Dakota his homelands.  He was baptized at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cheyenne River and earned his Lakota name from hunka Dave Medicine Bear.  Tom’s roots are Lakota strong with Sicangu blood coursing down his veins.

In 1992, Tom moved to Arizona and educational goals were set.  Tom attended school within the Tempe Union School District and received his diploma in 2010.  He had aspirations to become a pharmacy technician and attended Brookline College.  He nearly reached his goal.  

When Tom and family moved to Arizona, they lived with our matriarch Vivian Winter Chaser.  Vivian was his second mom and as everyone grew older, Tom became caretaker of his beloved aunt Vivian.  

Tom enjoyed his life.  He was adventurous and loved the outdoors. Most of all, he loved his Emma.  Emma was the apple of his eye, the drumbeat of his heart, and his best friend.  Emma knows her dad like no other.  Tom was talented in music and could play many instruments.  This was a family trait from generations before.  And it will continue in Emma.

Tom spent  his life outdoors, skating, with friends, with family, he enjoyed living.  He had an appetite for new foods and loved to eat out.  New cuisine brought new experience.  He is remembered as being a playful heart of a young man.  He loved spending time with his daughter, nieces, and nephews…he’s very loved and held dearly in prayer.

A chasm has been created with Tom’s spiritual journey but we will honor his memory to help fill the void of emptiness.

Funeral services will be held on May 12th at 2:00 pm at the 

He will return to South Dakota at a later date.

Everyone is welcome to join prayer services on May 12th.