Robert E. Conklin

Robert Earl Conklin was born May 2, 1933 in Greeley, Colorado. Bob graduated from Greeley High School and was on student council, in band and on the basketball team that went to the state finals. He stayed in touch with his treasured classmates throughout life. He attended college in both Greeley and Ft. Collins.

He worked summers on a ranch and in his spare time became quite a fisherman. In 1953 he joined Burroughs Corp (later Unysis) where he worked his entire career. He started working with adding machines and early computer equipment and moved up through management to District Service Manager.

In December 1953 he married the love of his life, Carol Hafkey. Bob and Carol had two children, Jan and Steve. The family enjoyed traveling and camping. Bob would watch anything sports on TV and enjoyed occasionally going to a sporting event or the theater. He was a longtime member of the Arvada Elks. He loved technology, having the newest gadgets and tinkering in his shop.

March 17, 1993, he made the bold decision to give up drinking. He was incredibly proud of that life changing choice that allowed him to renew relationships and truly enjoy life. He became incredibly personable and treasured his time connecting with others at garage sales, mountain casinos or the neighborhood McDonalds. Bob loved deeply, lived passionately, had a wonderful sense of humor and a charming smile even in difficult times.

Bob's family honors the doctors, nurses, aides, therapists and support staff that helped with him through recent years. We are so thankful for the skilled and caring staff that took care of him at Brookdale Lakewood Meridian, where he was president of the Resident Council and an Ambassador welcoming new residents. Bob passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 3, 2020 a day after his 87th birthday.

Bob Conklin is survived by wife Carol, daughter Jan and son-law Grady Booch of Maui and son Steve of Edgewater. Donations in his honor may be made to StoryCorps.org.