Robert John Weakley

A beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on January 25, 2024 in the comfort of his home surrounded by family.

Doc, as many of his friends liked to call him, lived a remarkable life filled with love, compassion and unwavering dedication to his family, friends and patients of his beloved orthodontic practice.

Robert John Weakley was born in Sterling Colorado on April 5, 1938. He was the first born of Dr. Boyce and Katherine Weakley and brother to Bill Weakley, Kay (Phil) Fleming, and Ann (Frank) Engraff. He was predeceased by his sister Kay, his niece Stacey and his parents.

Bob graduated from Sterling High School, where he met his future wife, Ellie, on a blind date. He left to attend Stanford University, and later transferred to and graduated from University of Colorado in Boulder (magically where Ellie attended). Bob and Ellie were married on July 28, 1961. Bob continued to study orthodontics at the University of Missouri Dental School and then settled in Fort Collins, Colorado to raise their young family.

From an early age, Bob was very athletic and participated in high school football, basketball, and tennis (in which he went all the way to State Finals). At Stanford, Bob taught swimming as a side job and often trained the life guards and sang in the Stanford choir! He passed his athleticism on to his family - teaching them the importance of staying active and loving the outdoors.

Bob loved fly fishing and spent a great deal of time at a family cabin on French Creek in Wyoming. He began skiing in college and that became another addiction which he continued for 53 years. He taught many friends and family to ski and fish. Steamboat became their home away from home and eventually Beaver Creek as they became empty nesters. He was able to make skiing look incredibly easy - while looking smooth and beating everyone down the mountain!

Bob was a strong supporter of football and basketball for CSU Rams and the CU Buffs. He was passionate about Orthodontics in Fort Collins and had a branch office in Sterling, Colorado. He was very active in The Colorado Dental Society and the American Dental Association as well as being a member of the board. Most of his patients would later tell him how much they adored and respected him (although they might not have in the moment of having their braces tightened)!

Bob and Ellie traveled to many international countries, most being in Europe where Ellie would teach watercolor and oil workshops. Spending many years being her best critic and having a discerning eye, Bob eventually decided to paint and Bob and Ellie together created many “BobEllie’s” - beautiful oil landscapes with Bob’s signature pallet knife style.

Bob’s most important relationships were with his wife and two daughters, Carol (Tim Ramirez) Frazier and Kay (Josh) Shelby. He absolutely adored his grandchildren - (via Carol) Adam Frazier and Anna Erickson and (via Kay) Kat, Emma, and John Shelby. In support, he and Ellie attended many concerts, football games, and tennis matches as well as received many art projects! Bob and Ellie have 6 great grandchildren and with Carol’s marriage to Tim Ramirez, an international chef, gained another family with an additional 6 great grandchildren!

Bob and Ellie were long time members of a group of college friends that had bible studies and book clubs every month traveling from Denver, Greeley and Fort Collins. They participated in a gourmet dinner club - as Bob became a great cook in his later years. Between great friends and family, wonderful social circles and events, skiing and fishing… Bob will be missed. In his final weeks, he was able to be at home, have his 5pm bourbon, enjoy the holidays with family and enjoy a beautiful view of Long’s Peak - all his final wish.

There will be a celebration of life at the Fort Collins Country Club on Tuesday, January 30 at 4pm. In lieu of gifts, donations can be made to the Food Bank of Larimer County. Bob was (if you know him well), overly passionate about feeding friends, his sweet dog Bentley (bacon!) and always making that monthly donation to the Food Bank.