Bob Fink

Bob Fink was born December 20th, 1935 in Russell, Kansas. His mother, Florence, and father, Chalin, raised Bob and his older brother, Jack, on a farm outside of Paradise, Kansas. And yes, there is a Paradise in Kansas. Bob attended Paradise High School where he was a star basketball and baseball player. That’s where he met Mary, his high school sweet heart and life-long partner of 57 years. They got married after Mary graduated high school and two years later she gave birth to their first daughter Lucinda followed two and half years later by their second daughter, Tonya.

As a young family, they lived in a purple trailer house next to the gas station that Bob owned and operated and supported the family. This was when gas was 18 cents a gallon. Every summer, the Fink family, like every honest baseball fanatical family took a two-week vacation to Kansas City to watch the A’s play baseball. They always managed to be there when the Yankees were in town. During these trips the two young and well-dressed daughters were strongly encouraged to collect baseball autographs from players to which they could not dare be denied, including Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. In 1966, enticed by some actual landscape, Bob and Mary left Paradise and moved their family to Colorado. In Colorado, they added a surprise to the young family with the addition of their son, Patrick, their baseball player. The Fink family settled into a nice 3-bedroom house in Edgewater and sent their kids to Lumberg Elementary and Jefferson High School.

Bob went to a technology school to learn about electronics and went on to work for Electronic Parts Company as a salesman. This is when TV’s had tubes. After putting in 20 years in the electronics industry, Bob decided to move onto something new and got a job working in the aircraft parts department for Continental airlines. This job turned out to be fortuitous for him and Mary by giving them access to free flights and they definitely took advantage of this perk.

Bob and Mary travelled all over the world to places like Germany, France, Ireland, Brazil, Costa Rica and Hawaii. They were accompanied most of the time by their best friends, Don and Shirley Moran. Sometimes they would go to New York City for a Broadway play or San Francisco for a Sunday afternoon lunch. And of course, they travelled anywhere in the country to watch their Red Sox or Colorado Rockies and especially their CU Buffs play. They had sports gear for all weather conditions! The only downside to Bob’s job at Continental was the fact that he was forced to relocate to Houston,Texas for 6 years. While in Texas Bob would extraordinarily travel home nearly every weekend to see Mary. Bob worked in Houston until he retired in 2002 and moved back to Colorado.

As nutty as they were for their CU Buffs or Boston Red Sox or Colorado Rockies, they were even more nutty for their kids and grandkids sports. Bob and Mary took their daughter Tonya who was an amazing baton twirler across the country coming home with a car full of trophies each time. They tirelessly attended all of their son Patrick’s baseball, basketball, and football games. They hardly ever missed their grandchildren’s lacrosse, hockey or baseball games even if they had to drive to another state.

After Bob retired he got his ultimate job as an usher for the Rockies where he received numerous awards including Rookie Usher of the Year during his 17 years with the Rockies. When the baseball season ended, Bob would usher all of the Avalanche games where he also received numerous employee of the month awards. It was at this time that Bob and Mary got a new dog and named him Fenway after the Boston Red Sox baseball stadium. Fenway was one spoiled dog.

Bob was devastated when Mary passed away in 2013 after spending a lifetime together. None the less he continued living the good life. He maintained his near impeccable attendance as an usher for the Rockies and Avalanche.

Barbara Tobey and Bob started spending time together. They both worked the Avalanche games. Together they formed a wonderful companionship. Bob and Barbara spent a lot of time together and enjoyed eating out and taking trips to Black Hawk to play the slot machines. Barbara became part of the family.

Bob spent the last day of his life how he wanted. He went gambling up in Blackhawk during the day with Barbara and both of them actually won. And in the evening he went to his favorite hangout at the Edgewater Inn where he drank beer, talked some Buffs, and bragged to all his buddies about Ida, his new great-granddaughter. There is no doubt Bob lived a wonderful life and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Bob is survived by his children, Lucinda (John) Schneller, Tonya (Pat) Osbaugh, Patrick Fink; grandchildren, Tyson (Alm) Schneller, Tanner Schneller, Joe Osbaugh; and great-granddaughter, Ida Schneller.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Jeffco Action Center, 8755 W. 14th

Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215.