Robert Shank

Robert "Bob" Shank, a committed friend, father and grandfather passed away suddenly on December 23 while doing one of his favorite things, walking his beloved yellow labrador Teddy on the Highline Canal in Denver, Colorado.

Bob was born in Rolla, Missouri to Ellen Shacklett Shank and John Henry Shank. At the time of his birth, his father Captain Shank was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood but deployed in Europe during World War II. Bob spent his early life in Pueblo, Colorado where he graduated from High School before leaving to serve in the U.S Army in Counter Intelligence. He then continued his studies in Boulder, CO and graduated from the University of Colorado.

After finishing his degree, Bob worked in information technology specializing in telecommunications for over forty years for companies such as IBM, WANG, Lucent Technologies and retiring from Avaya.

Bob had a knack of fixing anything from computers to plumbing. He could always be counted on to help you with any request and if he didn't know how to fix it, he would learn before he started the job. He helped countless people finish basements, repair plumbing, build chicken coops and was a master at dry wall repair due to Labrador puppy damage.

In his retirement, when he wasn't helping others, he spread his love of World War II aircraft by volunteering at Wings Over the Rockies museum and also spent time collecting and learning about narrow gauge railroads, especially his favorite, the Durango & Silverton line.

His true passion was the outdoors. He loved camping, hiking, skiing, scuba diving, white water rafting, biking and anything that "got him west" of the city of Denver. He was an avid skier and member of the Ski Patrol in Winter Park. When there was no snow on the mountains, Bob would be found photographing them, particularly the changing aspens in the fall. In the spring and summer, he would be hiking on the trails with his dog Teddy and camping with family and friends. If he wasn't walking, he was on his bike training for Ride the Rockies or the Triple Bypass. One of Bob's favorite places in the world was the Three Apostles Mountains where he has requested to have his ashes spread.

Bob was truly a generous soul who would place himself second to help others and will be deeply missed. He is preceded in death by his parents Ellen and John Shank and his brother Peter John Shank. "Grampa Bob" is survived by his sons Christopher and Michael Shank and grandchildren Parker, Luke, and Isabelle Shank.