Rodeo great Linderman dies

Former rodeo great Walt Linderman passed away Wednesday at the age of 69 at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. Linderman was part of the famed Linderman rodeo family of Red Lodge. Older brothers Bill and Bud Linderman were former PRCA world champions. Walt Linderman was a nine-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in steer wrestling. He was second three times - 1966, 1970 and 1971 - in the final world standings. Linderman won the NFR steer wrestling aggregate title, the second-most coveted buckle in professional rodeo, in 1967. Linderman was also known for his famed steer wrestling horse, Scott. Purchased for $1,600, Scott won more than $2 million dollars in earnings for cowboys who rode the large chestnut gelding. Scott carried Harley May to a steer wrestling title in 1965 and Jack Roddy to world championships in 1966 and 1968. Following his retirement from professional rodeo, Linderman worked 20 years for the Montana State Highway Department out of White Sulphur Springs. He and wife moved back to Billings five years ago. Born in Billings to John and Margaret Linderman, Walt Linderman had four brothers and one sister. He embarked on his rodeo career immediately after graduating from Belfry High School. Linderman won steer wrestling titles at most of the major rodeos, including Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Calgary Stampede and the Pendleton Round-Up. Linderman is survived by his wife of 52 years Dorothy (Nauman), daughter Vickie (Curt) Brass of Billings and son Jay (Chrissy) Linderman of Savery, Wyo. Funeral services for Linderman will be Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m. at Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge....

===