Robert D. Huntington II

Robert D. Huntington II spent 75 years living a life of integrity, principle, and love before leaving this world on the morning of December 4, 2024 due to Parkinson’s Disease connected to his service in the Vietnam War. Known as “Rob” to his family growing up and “Bob” to most everyone else, he continued to live at his longtime home in Platteville up until the last days of his life.

Born in Kansas City to parents Robert Don Huntington and Jobelle Huntington (née Anderson) on Aug. 1, 1949, Robert II was the oldest of six siblings. The family spent his younger years in Missouri, where he often spent summers with his Uncle Gene and Aunt Mildred Anderson filled with hunting, fishing, and camping on the river. In 1966, the family moved west to relocate to Aurora, Colorado when he was 16. He graduated from Hinkley High School in 1968.

Bob then followed his father’s career path, becoming an apprentice pressman at the Denver Post in his late teens before Uncle Sam summoned him with a draft card to serve in the United States Army. Bob served in combat as an infantryman in the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1971, earning two Bronze Stars before being honorably discharged. He went back to work at the Denver Post, which eventually became the Denver Newspaper Agency, and spent his entire career as a pressman for a total of 44 years before retiring in 2012.

Bob was less than a year removed from serving in the Army when he met Catherine Gayle Weeks in September 1972. The two quickly fell for each other and were married on January 27, 1974. Their daughter Tiffany was born the following year. The three of them moved to Platteville in 1979 before being joined by son Travis in 1982. Bob and Cathy raised their family in the same Platteville home and lived out their life together there for over 40 years. In retirement, Bob and Cathy spoiled their kids and grandkids, traveled the country, and enjoyed quality time with friends – and each other – until her passing from cancer in 2019.

Bob loved the outdoors and spent as much of his free time as possible camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and target shooting. He seemed to feel most at home in the Rocky Mountains, especially the Flat Tops, where he wanted to spend most summer vacations, fall elk hunting trips, and fishing excursions. Closer to home, he hunted geese in the corn stubble, ducks on the canals, doves in the fields, and turkeys near the river. Target shooting with family and friends was a favorite pastime and a bonding experience, along with exploring nature in various other ways.

He had a passion for studying and teaching history, and it was said by some that he was born about 150 years too late. He discovered black powder shooting and the mountain man lifestyle in the early 1980s. His family attended rendezvous, camped in their tipi, learned skills and collected artifacts of the early 19th century American West. Through demonstrations at local schools and Fort Vasquez, he taught generations of local students about the fur trade era, Lewis & Clark expedition, and early interactions between mountain men and Native Americans. He held a deep reverence for Native American culture and enjoyed attending the Denver March Powwow.

The way Bob lived his life, the love he showed, and the lessons he imparted continue to guide and impact all those who were fortunate enough to know him.

He is survived by his daughter Tiffany Watson (Roger), son Travis (Jessica), grandchildren Tyler and Hannah Watson and Reid and Leah Huntington, father Bob (Joyce), sisters Pam Olson and Dora Swanson (Tom), brothers Timmy and Curtis (LeighAnn), and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Cathy, mother JoBelle, and sister Debbie Ballast.

Bob’s celebration of life will be held on Monday, Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Platteville (316 Elizabeth Ave.), with a reception to follow at the South Platte Valley Historical Society Lancaster Lupton’s Trade Fort (2001 Historic Park Way, Fort Lupton).