Robert G. Eppinger Jr.

Born: January 5, 1920

Died: October 20, 2014

Husband of and best friend for nearly 66 years to Hilda Louise Eppinger who preceded him in death on July 31, 2012.

Robert Gerald was born to Robert and Madeline Eppinger at Highland, Colorado. Robert attended Cline School in Welby, Colorado through eighth grade before leaving school to work on the family farm during his teen years until World War II began.

Robert was one of the first Adams County boys to be drafted into the Army at age 21 in July, 1941. He reported for duty on October 16th, 1941, for one year of service and was released four years later. During this time he had no furlough, one 2 ½ day pass in New Caledonia, one overnight pass in San Francisco, and a couple weekend passes while training at Ft. Warren, Wyoming. He was a Corporal, 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning), 25th Quarter Master Company, in the South Pacific, including the islands of Guadalcanal, New Georgia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the Philippines. For many years he did not talk of his time in the Army, but in 1998 he began his WWII memoir, completing it in 2004 with the help of his son. Copies were given to his children and grandchildren. After 62 years his daughter and son helped him obtain his belated earned service medals.

Robert returned to the farm on August 8, 1945. In 1946 he met a cute cashier named Hilda at Miller’s Supermarket on Brighton Blvd. They began dating, danced a lot and fell in love, marrying the following year, on December 14, 1947. They moved to Derby, Colorado, where they resided the rest of their lives together.

In Derby, now Commerce City, they built a home together on one acre and raised four children, Linda, Carol, Robert III, and Peggy. Robert produced and maintained beautiful flower gardens for Hilda and vegetable gardens that kept the family healthy. His immaculate landscaped gardens were appreciated by numerous people in the community.

Initially following the war, Robert worked as a truck driver and a crane operator before using his GI Bill to enter an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker. As a young boy he enjoyed making things out of wood for his mother and younger sister Rosemary, so it was only natural that wood working would become his career. He became a master cabinet maker, working at Butler Fixture and Mfg. Co. for some 40 years. Robert was a life-long member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Using hard and exotic woods he made beautiful cabinets and fixtures for banks, theatres, the Denver Art Museum, and expensive private homes. Oak display cabinets that he made are presently used by the Adams County Museum.

Robert used his wood working talents at their home, which was filled with handcrafted hardwood furniture and fixtures throughout. These pieces are now dispersed among children and grandchildren. Following Hilda’s death in 2012, Robert continued to live in the home until moving to his son’s home in January, 2014. He sold his Derby home just a couple weeks before passing away, having carefully maintained the gardens throughout the summer.

Robert and Hilda loved to visit their mountain cabin that he made on acreage west of Idaho Springs. He cut numerous paths along the mountainside to access and maintain the surrounding forest and he opened and restored an old turn-of-the-century gold mine, complete with shack and mine car. In later years he and Hilda loved to sit at the cabin porch and watch hummingbirds come to the feeders. He and Hilda were members of the Riverdale Grange and enjoyed countless dances and gatherings there. They celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary in December, 2011. After a very pleasant morning looking at deer and beautiful fall tree colors, Robert died suddenly, but peacefully, while quietly seated at his son’s home.

He is survived by his sister, Rosemary Bergling; daughter Linda and husband Steve Johnson (grandchildren Heather and Lisa; great grandchildren Mason and Kaylee), daughter Carol and husband Timothy Hearne (grandchildren Tiffany and Jeffrey; great grandchildren Layne and Luke), son Robert and wife Catharine (children Paul [wife Sarah] and Rosemary), and daughter Peggy and husband John Droullard (children Amber [husband Tim], Jennifer [husband Aaron], and John Jr.; great grandchildren Joshua, Rosalie, Benjamin, Adam, and Leah). He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Madeline, brother George, and sister Marjorie.

Robert requested a private graveside memorial service for close family to be followed a few months later by a Celebration of Life Party. The party will be held in the Spring of 2015 with announcements to come at a later date. He specifically wanted the party to be a happy, not sad time, with food, music, and perhaps some dancing.

Donations may be made to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Assistance Foundation (PO Box 6625, Denver, CO 80206), which helped his wife Hilda in her final days, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.