Robert (Bob) Roper
Wed, 05/07/2014 - 11:16pm
News Staff
After living with cancer for six years, Robert Roper died at home surrounded by his family. Bob lived in Gunnison for 75 years and spent his last 10 years in Delta. He was born in Gunnison on July 25, 1927 to Albert Roper and Mabel Wilson. He and his wife Lucile (Taramarcaz) Roper were married on Sept. 26, 1953, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last fall. Bob was a Rancher in Gunnison for over 50 years. He cared deeply for the land and took seriously his responsibility as a steward of the land. His very favorite activity was irrigating and he walked many miles assuring that his land, and often that of others, was well watered and productive. Bob spent a year serving his country as an Army weatherman in the late 1940s. Bob was a loving father, grandfather and greatgrandfather who modeled a strong work ethic and strong moral character for all. He believed that the world was a good place, and that people could make it better. Bob and Lucile have 10 children including, Al len (Melody) Roper of Gunnison; Patty (Rick) Garcia of Grand Junction; Janet (Charles) Garcia of Tempe, Ariz.; Frank Roper of Gunnison, Roberta (Paul) Terhaar of Lowry, Minn., Lena (Marcus) Roeder of Colorado Springs; Kathryn (Don) Pechman of Montrose; Ben (Evelyn) Roper of Gunnison; Alber t (Angela) Roper of Gunnison; and Margaret (Bob) Vader of Cedaredge. He is survived by 21 grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. Bob is also survived by his brother John (Dorothy) Roper of Grand Junction and his sister Anna May Wall of Salome Springs, Alaska. Bob’s parents, as well as his sisters Gladys McAllister, Helen Hassel, Evelyn Duncan, Ola Bartlett, Lorena Roper, Aline Roper, Carol Mykytuik and Noelle Edwards preceded him in death. A memorial service for Bob will be held today, May 8, at 10 a.m. at the Multi Purpose Bui lding at the Gunnison Fairgrounds, 275 S. Spruce St. Pastor Steve Morehouse will officiate, and internment will follow at the Gunnison Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hopewest Hospice, Delta Office at hopewestco.org or P.O. Box 24, Delta, CO 81416. The family greatly appreciates the loving care provided by the Hopewest Hospice staff that so greatly increased our father’s quality of life in his final years.
