Robert “Bob” Vanderpool, Jr.
May 24, 1934 ~ May 18, 2011
Bob was born May 25, 1934, in Hooper, Colo., to Robert and Lola Mae (Musick) Vanderpool. Bob was the seventh child born in the family.
Bob passed away at Pioneers Medical Center on May 18, 2011, in the arms of his wife.
Bob first moved to western Colorado at the age of 10. He resided with his family in Grand Valley until 1944 when the family moved to Piceance Creek to work on the Walt Oldland ranch. He attended school in Grand Valley, the Stewart School on Piceance and New Castle.
In 1955, while working on the Gerald Oldland ranch, he met his wife, Esther Proctor, who was working at the Rio Blanco Store. They were married Oct. 14, 1955.
Bob spent several years working for different ranchers in the Silt, New Castle and Piceance area. He also worked for the Denver and Rio Grande railroad several summers. After his marriage he worked with his father-in-law Everett Proctor in the logging business. He then went to work for Ed Sprod before accepting a job at Marvine Ranch. In 1962, he went to work for Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge. He worked there two years before going to work at Tom Murray’s Market, where he worked until 1970, when he went back to work for Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge. He retired as a road foreman in August 1997.
Bob was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, served as a volunteer fireman and was on the Sanitation board. He was a man who was always there to help anyone in need; his daughters remember him picking up hitchhikers in the earlier years.
Bob spent many hours hunting, fishing, hunting arrowheads, bowling and four-wheeling with his friends and family.
Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Esther (Proctor) Vanderpool, daughter Gala (Terry) Ivie of Meeker, children Shelli (Ben) Shideler, Clay (Crystal) Ivie, grandchildren Cali and Cadence Ivie. Daughter, Sharon (Kevin) Samuel of Richmond, Texas, children Stacy (Scott) Gydesen, children Mackenzie, Teagan, twins Camaryn and Cassidy. Jessica Samuel, Emily Samuel, Elizabeth Samuel, and Allyson Samuel. Daughter Aileen (Dallas) Boren of Vernal, Utah, children Jennifer McDonald, grandchildren Carter Ekburg, Chayton McDonald. Chad Boren, grandchildren Halle, Mylle. His mother -in-law Ruby Hart of Meeker. Sisters Marie Bently of San Bernadino, Calif., Ellouise Werhonig and Joyce Harris of Cheyenne, Wyo. Many nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Lavina Mercier, Roberta Vanderpool, Jean Baughman and brother Bernie Vanderpool, father-in-law Everett Proctor and stepfather-in-law Freeman “Tuffy” Hart, and son Allen.
At Bob’s request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Robert Vanderpool Memorial Fund at Mountain Valley Bank.
