Obituary: William Robert “Bob” Delaney

William Robert “Bob” Delaney
March 13, 1917 ~ Aug. 2, 2008
Robert Delaney, 91, died Aug. 2, 2008, at his home near Glenwood Springs.
He was born at Meeker, Colo., on March 13, 1917, to James and Anne Carbrey Delaney, and grew up on the family’s ranch on the lower White River. He was graduated from Meeker High School and then went on to the University of Denver and Westminster Law School. While attending law school, he worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Denver. His law studies were discontinued during WW II. On the day following Pearl Harbor, the FBI ordered him to Alaska, where he worked until joining the Army Air Force.
On July 24, 1946, he married Mary Constance Wheat of Los Angeles, Calif.. They moved to Glenwood Springs, had three children, and were happily married until her death in 2004.
Bob, having completed law school and been admitted to the bar, began his legal career working for his uncle, Frank Delaney. The practice of law afforded him a diverse, interesting career. In 1948, Bob was elected district attorney of the Ninth Judicial District, and served for 12 years. At that time, a district attorney also had a civil practice in addition to his official duties, and Bob formed a partnership with Kenneth Balcomb, starting the firm Delaney & Balcomb. Bob also served as Pitkin County attorney, and city attorney of Glenwood Springs. He took a great interest in water law, and served as counsel to the Colorado River District and counsel to the Middle Park Water Conservancy District. Further, in recognition of his accomplishments as a trial lawyer, he was admitted to the International Society of Barristers.
Over time, he took an increasing interest in business and corporate law. He was general counsel and a corporate officer to the Mid-Continent Companies, which include industrial and real estate enterprises, serving as a director and president of Mid-Continent Minerals, president of the Redstone Corporation and Oak Meadows Development Company, and Vice President of Mid-Continent Resources, Mid-Continent Coal and Coke Co., Carbondale Mine Services and also of Pitkin Iron Corporation. He also served on the board of directors of the Central Bank Corporation and of the First National Bank in Aspen.
He had a great belief in the value of education, and served on the Board of the Roaring Fork School District as well as being a trustee of the L.S. Wood Charitable Trust.
He was a devoted husband, a kind and loving father. He was tenacious and determined. He did not complain. He had a wry wit and his sense of humor never deserted him, even at the end of his life. He believed he’d had a fortunate life. His own words were “I’ve had a good run.” He had indeed.
He is survived by his children, Rob Delaney, Ralph (Betty) Delaney, Diane Delaney, his grandchildren Laurie Delaney and Ryan Delaney, all of Glenwood Springs, his sister, Elizabeth Amick, nephew Bob Amick and niece Sandra Bradfield, all of Meeker, and favorite brother-in-law, Ralph Wheat of Northridge, Calif.
A viewing and visitation is was scheduled on Friday, Aug. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at the Farnum Holt Funeral Home, 405 West Seventh St., Glenwood Springs. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008 at St. James Episcopal Church, 368 Fourth St., Meeker, with burial following in the Highland Cemetery, in Meeker. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church, 824 Cooper St., in Glenwood Springs. A reception will follow at the Historic Hotel Colorado, 526 Pine St. in Glenwood Springs.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Connie Delaney Medical Library, c/o the Valley View Hospital Foundation or to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.