Robert Palmer Sheets

Robert Palmer (Bob) Sheets, age 80, of Westminster, CO passed away in Phoenix, AZ, surrounded by family on Saturday, March 12, 2016 from complication of surgery. Bob was born in Archer City, TX to Punk and Gaye Sheets. He met and married his wife, Sylva in Breckenridge, TX in 1956. He was a wonderful father to Deborah, Doug and Denise. Upon Denise's death in 1987, he became a wonderful father to her children, Justin and Trey.

He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1959 with a degree in Petroleum Geology and was self employed in petroleum exploration until shortly before his death. He also was proud to serve in the Texas National Guard. In 1968, he moved his family to Colorado. In 2004, he became a recreational resident of Pebble Creek in Goodyear AZ, and gradually spent all of his time in Arizona.

Bob's love of history and quest for knowledge led him to learn about creating software for his business and he stayed current on the advances in computer technology. He was an avid HAM radio operator in Colorado and Arizona. With his involvement as a HAM radio operator he volunteer with various Emergency Preparedness groups. His HAM radio also allowed him to build friendships around the world.

Bob was so appreciative of all the family and friends in his life. He spoke of them all the way to the end. He was so appreciative of the wonderful life he had lived. He left this world ready for his next life and with the wish that all who knew him would be kind to each other.

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sylva. His children, Deb (Rich) Pennington, Doug (Susan) Sheets, Justin (Rachel) Sheets and Trey (Victoria) Sheets. His grandchildren, Chris (Tylene) Taylor, Katie (Fred) Cavallo and Taton (Amanda) Taylor. His great-grandchildren Xander, Reily, Haidyn, Lilly, Everly, Hailey, Taton and Aiden. He is also survived by many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Denise.

A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Litchfield Park, AZ at 11:00 on Friday March 18th, 2016. A gathering celebrating his life will follow the service.

Memorial services will also be held at a later date in Westminster, CO and in July 2016 during the Horton Family Reunion in Texas.

His eulogy will be posted at www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com

Eulogy #1 - By Deb Pennington

The dash... That little symbol between date of birth and date of death. Dad had a wonderful long dash between those dates. As a son ,a husband, father, grandfather , great grandfather and as a friend. Each and everyone of you here today and those that are here in thoughts, are part of that dash.

Bob Sheets never lacked for friends.....from a life long friend he made in 3rd grade to the nurses who came in on their days off to care for him in his final days! He appreciated the all of his friends and they were a big part of his life. He was also a friend to his family.. He touched so many lives with his love, support, his sense of humor!

Dad had more than his share of struggles and tragedies in life, yet he never dwelled on them. He stayed steady and focused on the positive! On of his favorite quotes was by Theodore Roosevelt.....

 “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done         them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives     valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually         strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows     in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never     be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Dad had direction in his life and he was good at sharing it. You just knew when he said "I've been thinking ......" That he had thought long and hard about it. You also knew that he was about to direct you with that finger of his to direct his project! He told us that " he had the hardest job of all!" Figuring all this out and making sure it was done right. He was well accomplished at it!

He loved helping others. He was so excited when he learned how to smoke turkeys that he offers to cook a 22 lb turkey for friends who were hosting a dinner party for about 100 people. He arrived a few minutes before the guest, pan in hand and sheepishly added that the turkey had shrunk a bit.. Imagine the hostess's face as she peeled back the foil to find a beautifully cooked Cornish game hen in the middle of the pan. Of course, he had the real turkey in the car. They all had a good laugh.

I saw my Dad show great empathy for others! He and Mom were always there to provide any help they could offer. But there were some things he just sympathized with. When I was a young girl we drove by a bait and tackle shop. The billboard out front read " Al's got worms!" Dad turned to Mom and said " Poor Al......not sure I would have advertised it! Even with one eye he saw the world with a great perspective! He did love reading signs and the message they had....watch for deer .......

He shared his perspective on life and his sense of humor with all of us during his life. During his last week in the hospital the Dr. Put his arm around Mom and kissed her head. Dad piped up and told the doc with that wonderful grin on his face not to be hugging and kissing his wife. Each time that bobologist showed up in the room Dad was suddenly more alert!

He was good at seeing the humor of his own actions too! One cold snowy night I had just loaded the kids in car seats to leave the mall. As I pulled forward there was a thud and the car lunged forward. There were no other cars around and I got out to discover someone had stolen my right front tire and left my car on a jack. Dad arrived promptly to "help" and asked " didn't you check to see your tires were all there before you tried to drive off?" To which I responded " Dad I've been riding in cars with you my whole life and have never seen you look for all 4 tires before you got in!"

Dad loved to travel .....yes on the gravel roads, but he also went to Europe and Asia. He loved to fish at Lake Powell. He and Mom traveled to some wonderful places too! Hawaii, golf trips with friends, to Minot for 3 weeks in a January blizzard to drill a well, family camping trip on 4th of July in the snow, every July to the family reunion in Texas and a wonderful stay at a high priced place (ICU) in New Mexico when he had a heart attack while driving to Texas.

Dad loved to explore, loved history and sharing with anyone who was willing to listen. His stories usually began with "when Christopher Columbus and I sailed to the new world , "When George and I sailed across the Delaware or "When he and Davy were defending the Alamo" you didn't even realize he was teaching you something. He was a great teacher of so many things in life!

He was a wonderful father. He and Mom have provided so much love, care and support to other family and friends for a week, a month or years. They have been happy to make any sacrifice needed to help others.

He loved his meetings with his HAM buddies for free pie day at Village Inn.. So when it's a Wednesday, or you see a Village Inn.....stop in hand have a piece of pie and remember him. Village Inn could easily run out of pie if all the family and friends of Bob Sheets stop by!!

Dad appreciated his life, family and friends so remember you are part of that dash.

Thank you, Dad for all you gave!

Eugulogy #2 by Doug Sheets

Bob Sheets would be the first to say he lived a wonderful life. He expressed

that to all of us in his last few days. He approached his death with calmness

and courage, much the same as he had lived. His only wish, that those left

behind, be kind to one another and love each other. Even in the end, his

compassion for others was stronger than the needs for himself. He lived his

life with passion, and in all the things pursued, found success.

As a young boy, an only child, we saw the beginning of his wit, wisdom and

humor. When called to task on foul play, his mother would call out Robert P,

who did this? His response was typical. Not me. Well if not you, then who his

mother asked? It was Robert Q. Somehow she believed him.

A few years later, a knock on the door. A gentleman ask, do you have a cute

little blue eyed, blond hair boy. His mother replied proudly, yes I do. Well the

little …..! just thew a rock threw a rock though my window. Gone were the

days of Robert Q.

Seeking better use of his talents, Dad became involved in the Boy Scouts.

His dedication and hard work paid off. He advanced to become one of the

first Eagle Scouts in America. One of his favorite journeys in life was a train

ride from Texas to Valley Forge, for the scout jamboree. Friendships from

those times lasted till this day. The scout oath and laws defined values he

lived the rest of his life. They are, Duty to God and Country, Duty to other

people, Duty to Self.

His duty to God was always apparent. He prayed often. Sometimes for help

getting out of a jam he vowed would never happen again. He expressed that

there were times he had to asked twice. He was proud to serve his country in

the Texas National Guard. His empathy for others was always apparent, as

was his firm belief that extending a hand to those in need, helped make the

world be a better place. Whether family, friends or just someone in need, he

was first in line with generous help.

Strong morals, values and love guided him to success in business, marriage,

parenting and friendships. The road was not easy, there were many failures,

tragedies and deaths along the way. His honesty, devotion and unending

effort allowed him to be triumphant when defeat seemed eminent. Through it

all he smiled and went on his way.

Yes, Bob lived a wonderful life, and by doing so, gave us the path to follow.

With great love and thanks, we bid him farewell.