Robert “Bob” E. McKune, 90, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., passed away Sept. 27, 2014. He was born March 30, 1924, to Clarence and Bessie McKune in Gravity, Iowa.
At the age of 7 or 8, Bob’s family moved to Edgewater, Colo. He was graduated from the eighth grade and finished the ninth grade.
He met Ann Harris in 1939, they became fast friends and married on Oct. 13, 1943. They ranched until he was taken into the Army and served in Korea for two years. When he came back, he worked at Gates Rubber Co. and Coors with the goal of living his dream of ranching.
The family moved to Routt County in 1957. There, they ranched on Cow Creek, Trout Creek and by the Yampa River. In 2000, Ann and Bob moved to Rangely, where they continued to ranch until 2013, when they moved to the Haven in Hayden, Colo. Bob was at the Doak in Steamboat Springs when he passed away.
His many accomplishments included in Routt County: driving a school bus for 14 years; was a Routt County commissioner for eight years; was very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars; served on many boards concerning agriculture. In Rio Blanco County, he formed a pest control district and was a board member for White River Plant Center and the Water Conservation Board.
Mr. McKune is survived by: his wife of 71 years, Ann; two sons: Bob (Kathie) and Butch (Faye) McKune; a grandson: Russell “Rusty” (Jennifer) and three great-grandsons, Nicholas, Blake and Chase; a brother, James McKune (Helen); a brother-in-law, Ed Harris (Betty); a sister-in-law, Mary Cordova (Tom); and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Clarence and Bessie McKune; four sisters, Evelyn Jackson, Irene Bowen, Margaret Hoyt and Dorthy Ludlow.
Bob was well thought of and respected in everything he did and by everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all.
There was a private family memorial service on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, at Grant Funeral Home in Craig, Colo. A memorial service will follow for friends and family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VFW Post No. 4264 in Steamboat Springs, Colo.