Robert D. Van Gundy

He attended public school in Fruitvale while living and working on the family ranch. After WWII broke out, Bob volunteered for the Navy before graduating from high school. He served in the Asiatic/Pacific theatre, mainly Okinawa, aboard the USS L.S.M.R. 198. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Grand Junction where he met, fell in love with and married Alta Irene Williams on May 15, 1948 in Grand Junction. He received his GED and then attended and graduated from Denver University. Subsequent degrees were earned from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and Western State College in Gunnison. From 1952 until 1981, Bob worked for School District #51 as an elementary teacher and elementary principal. He retired in 1981 from Appleton Elementary School.

In addition to working in the public school system, he worked for the Forest Service on Grand Mesa, CC camps and volunteered with many organizations. He was a member of the Gold Band Class of the First Baptist Church and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was a member and the senior surviving past master of Mesa Lodge # 55, El Jebel Shrine, Western Colorado Shrine Club past president, Los Sabios, York Rite Bodies, and Sunshine Chapter #53 Order of Eastern Star and was a life member of the American Legion. He was a past Grand Lodge Officer of Colorado and was Worthy Patron of Sunshine Chapter twice. He was a summer church camp youth counselor, worked at the Grand Junction Visitors Center, judged spelling competitions in Glenwood, participated on the Colorado Masonic Scholarship Committee, and helped bring in the crops for an uncle in Molina, among many other volunteer activities.

Bob and Alta, after retirement, traveled by plane, boat, train, automobile and RV far and wide. He enjoyed watching all sports, at all levels, including: boxing, football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, golf and just about anything else he could attend or watch on TV. He looked forward to attending his LSMR Naval reunion every year. He was a hunter, fisherman, lifelong learner and tinkerer.

He was a very compassionate care giver for many, many years to Alta who preceded him in death after 55 years of marriage. He is survived by a sister, Adelene Voils of Littleton, CO, a son, Robert E. Van Gundy of Castle Rock, CO, daughters Daphne Turner of Colorado Springs, CO, and Linda Boivin of Albuquerque, NM; 4 granddaughters; 1 grandson and 3 great grandsons.

He was very much loved by his family and will be missed by many. He had a good life and touched many hearts and minds with his smile and friendship.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Memorial Gardens Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:30 AM at the First Baptist Church (7th & Grand).

Memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 1275 Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090 North 12th Street, unit B, Grand Junction, CO 81506 or The First Baptist Church, 720 Grand Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501.

Friends may leave their condolences to the family at www.martinmortuary.com