Robert A. Leech

Robert Leech was born on June 25, 1933 in a farmhouse on McIntyre Road in Golden to William Leech and Madeline Zamboni Leech. He had one living brother, Leon, who was 12 years older than him. He was baptized at Church of the Presentation on July 16, 1933. His Mother had a very large family, so he grew up surrounded by many cousins. He had his First Communion in May 1943 at Presentation Church and was confirmed on May 10, 1945.

As Bob got older, he began working at a gas station on South Broadway that was owned by his Uncle Louie. He also worked on his car and built gas model airplanes. He graduated from West High School in 1951, and went to work as a mill man for Hallick and Howard-a lumber mill that his father had also worked at in the 1930's. He worked there for 11/2 years before entering the Air Force in April of 1953.

He took his basic training at Parks Air Force Base in California. Then he was sent to Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois for Air Force Technical Training. For a time, he was at Lowry Field here in Denver for classes on "Gunner" training. He was finally stationed at Walker Air Force base in Roswell, New Mexico. He was Honorably discharged in April of 1957 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Bob married Marylou Conner on September 30, 1956 at Bethany Church in Denver. They had four children together-Karen, Kevin, Bill and Brenda. Bob worked at Federal Planing Mill, where he was a Biller/Detailer. He designed moldings for woodworking trim. He was involved in the woodwork at the Air Force Chapel in Colorado Springs, the St. Anthony Hospital near Sloan Lake, and the other large jobs in the Denver area. Bob and Marylou divorced in 1968.

Bob married JoAnn Rupple Burrows on December 31, 1969. JoAnn had three children of her own-Vickie, Willy, and Marilyn. They were now a family of seven children. In October 1976, they had a daughter of their own-Jennifer-bringing the family to eight children.

When the children were growing up, Bob was diagnosed with Asthma. He was told by his doctor that he would have to get out of the dusty lumber mills and get some fresh air. He then bought K Rubbish Removal and ran it while still working in the front office of the Mill. He sold the business in the mid 1970's with the thought he could retire.

Instead, he ended up helping Bill and Kevin with their business. He drove the truck, mowed and trimmed lawns for Bill's company, Hidden Valley landscape. He installed refrigeration doors and built display cases for Safeway and City Market throughout several states with Kevin. They repaired Wendy's Hamburger outlets and built cabinetry for Public Service's Golden Triangle area near downtown. All the while, trying to maintain his own rental properties.

Bob and Joann traveled to Mexico, made several trips to Florida, took a special vacation to Louisiana to meet their new Great Grandson, attended an Air Force reunion in New Mexico, visited Yellowstone and South Dakota, drove to Texas and Padre Island, wand went to Las Vegas to try and win their fortune.

On December 31, 2019, Bob and JoAnn celebrated their 50 year Wedding Anniversary. They currently have their (8) children with spouses, (13) Grandchildren with several spouses, and (21) Great Grandchildren. That adds up to a lot of people who are going to miss this man-but more importantly-it means there are numerous thankful people that are carrying on a wealth of treasured memories.