Robert "Bob" Harold Markley

Robert “Bob” Harold Markley passed away on January 3, 2022. He was 95. What a life he lived and what an amazing legacy he has left! Bob was born in Fort Morgan on November 27, 1926 to Ferd and Elsie Markley. His family, including many aunts, uncles and cousins, lived in Weldona until 1936 when his father purchased a Dodge dealership and founded Markley Motors, settling the immediate family in Ft. Collins. Bob attended school at Laurel and Lincoln; he graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1944 where he was a wrestler, ran track and loved singing high tenor and baritone in the school choir.

In 1944, during WWII, Bob joined the U.S. Coast Guard. While in the service, he completed a course in theoretical and practical radio operations. He returned home in 1946 and attended Colorado A & M (CSU) where, after four years in ROTC, he was awarded a commission in the field artillery as a 2nd lieutenant. He was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and earned his Business Economics degree in 1950. Punctuating his college years was his 1948 marriage to Lucille Rutt. They had two sons, Dave and Dan, and a daughter, Carol. They later divorced; she preceded him.

After graduation, Bob became a junior partner with his brother, Gene, and his father, in the Markley family car dealership. The business expanded in 1959 to include a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. Bob always loved the automotive business and was very proud to have carried on the traditions his father established in 1936. From early years of sweeping floors, washing and polishing cars, clearing vehicles of snow, and even taking trains to Detroit to drive cars back to the Ft. Collins dealership…Bob learned and truly valued every facet of the business.

Gene and Bob continued in partnership until 1968, when Bob relocated his wife “Lucy”, and family, to Greeley to open a VW dealership. This dealership later expanded to sell Mercedes, Honda, Saab, Mazda and Isuzu. In 1982, he married Sandy Mason, who brought three daughters (Judy, Jenny and Melissa) to the family. Sandy preceded him in death.

Bob’s civic-minded heart and goals always focused on giving back, which he did for many years by investing his time, resources, expertise and dedication to the cities of both Ft. Collins and Greeley. He was a member of both the Ft. Collins and Greeley Lions Club (served as president of both); founder and president of the Ft. Collins Country Club; helped establish the First United Way of Ft. Collins; Director of the board of Poudre Valley National bank, Chairman of Better Schools for Ft. Collins; President of Greeley Chamber of Commerce; board member of United Bank of Greeley; board member of Salvation Army; President of Greeley Auto Dealers Association, and served as Mayor of Greeley for two terms (1985-1990). While mayor, Bob was pivotal to the development and construction of the Union Colony Civic Center. A plaque on the building acknowledges his leadership in the project. A complete list of his devoted civic duties may be found on his page on the Allnutt Mortuary site.

Over his rich, long life, Bob received many awards. His highest professional honor was receiving the Time Magazine National Automobile Quality Dealer award for the State of Colorado in 1990; he was one of five finalists for the national award. This award was given to dealers for their exceptional performance and distinguished community service. This past September, 2021, he was an inaugural inductee into The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association Hall of Fame, where he received a standing ovation. Bob was truly honored and humbled.

Bob lived a full life. He was currently active in “The Old Man’s Coffee Group,” and the Greeley Lions Club. He stayed “tuned” in to Colorado State sports and The Rockies. He immensely enjoyed his trips to Mexico, deep sea fishing, vacationing and exploring Lake Powell, being an avid fisherman, adequate golfer, intermediate skier, lover of music (especially the oldies) and sharing a good drink of Scotch. He believed he was competitive in many things but master of none.

For the last eight years, his life has been blessed and enriched by the faithful and loving companionship of his dear friend, Gen Holloway.

Always kind and available, always loving and true, Bob was a marvelous patriarch to a large family. Those surviving him: sons David (Diane) Markley and Dan (Deb) Markley, all of Greeley; daughter Carol (Brian) Zick of Fort Collins. He also leaves grandchildren Mark (Katie) Markley, Mitchell (Lindsey) Markley, Misty (Chris) Frey, Amanda (Taylor) Stevens, Sarah (Bob) Kay and Scott Zick and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by step-children: Judy (Mike) Finn of Greeley, Jenny (Mike) Dahman of Highlands Ranch and Melissa Horvat of Santa Monica, CA. along with three step-grandchildren: Mike and Mason Dahman, and Megan (Drew) Roper. Bob is also predeceased by his parents, Ferd and Elsie; sister, Virginia; beloved brother, Gene.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Macy Chapel:Allnutt Funeral Home, 6521 West 20th Street, Greeley, Colorado. A reception will immediately follow.

The family would be grateful that any memorial contributions to honor Bob be directed to: Greeley Noon Lions Club or Salvation Army (specify Greeley Red Kettle). Both of these may be sent to 1119 6th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80631.

CIVIC DUTIES AND MEMBERSHIPS

Fort Collins:

• First President of United Way in Fort Collins – 1958

• Chairman of Budget Committee for Fort Collins Area United Fund Drive 1959-1960

• 1961 – State Advisory Committee of Child Welfare – chosen for his interest and wellbeing for children

• Board of Directors at Poudre Valley National Bank 1961-1969

• Quality Dealer Award from Chrysler and also Dodge Corporations - 1963, 1966 and 1967 ( in 1966 only 20 of 425 Dodge Dealers were awarded

• President of both Fort Collins and Greeley Lions Club (a member for over 70 years)

• Founder and President (1967) of the Fort Collins County Club – President while constructing the back nine

• Chairman of Better Schools for Fort Collins

• Board Member of Longs Peak Boy Scout Council – finance director

• Instrumental in funding for the Delatorre Boy Scout Camp

• Represented Denver District on the Kansas City Council of Dodge Automobile Dealers

• Executive Board for Citizen Committee Poudre R-1 Public schools

• Board of Director of Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce for 14 years and on transportation committee for Highway Committee for 10 years (Hwy 287)

• Boy Scout Leader

• Little League work

Fort Collins memberships:

• Life member of Colorado State University Alumni Association – 1967

• Member of Elks Club – Lodge 804

• Member of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins

Greeley:

• 1970 United Way Drive Chairman

• President of both Fort Collins and Greeley Lion’s Club ( a member for over 70 years)

• Board of Directors of United Bank of Greeley – 1970 -

• President (1975-1977) and Board member (beginning in 1973) of Greeley Chamber of Commerce, Board member and Chairman of Planning and Zoning Commission for Greeley (10 years)

• Active delegate in State Republican Conventions since 1976

• Mayor of Greeley for two terms 1985-1990. Greeley was honored as The All-American City by the National Civic League and the United States Senate. Instrumental while Mayor in approval of a bond for constructing The Union Colony Civic Center

• 1990 Time Magazine National Automobile Quality Dealer of the Year for State of Colorado and amongst the top five finalists in the Nation

• President of United Way of Weld County

• Boy Scouts of Weld County (including membership chairman of The Longs Peak Boy Scout Council)

• Junior Achievement Business Class Teacher

• Board member of the Greeley Planning and Zoning Commission

• Member of Greeley Committee for Better Government

• Salvation Army Board of Directors

• Board member and officer of Colorado Automobile Dealers Association for numerous years

• President of Greeley Auto Dealers Association

• Secretary / Treasurer of Colorado Auto Dealers Association

Greeley awards/recognitions:

• Boss of the Year – Greeley Jaycees

• Citizen of the Year – Greeley Board of Realtors