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Robert G. De Vries Steamboat Springs, CO QCWA # 16237 Chapter 58 |
Robert Gerald DeVries was born October 19, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois to Robert and Helen DeVries. He attended school in the Chicago area. Bob served in the US Navy during WWII. After the war ended, he attended Colorado A&M, now Colorado State University. It was here he would meet his future wife, Barbara Ferris. Bob graduated from A&M with a B.S. degree in Agriculture and he spent several years working on ranches in Colorado & Wyoming. The family would eventually end up in Denver, where Bob worked as a supervisor of work camps for delinquent boys, a program he helped to develop at Denver's Juvenile Hall. In 1968, he saw an opportunity and moved his family to Steamboat where he would become the District Probation Officer. Bob and Barbara had three sons, Steven, Bruce and Scott. All three boys graduated from Steamboat Springs High School.
Bob was very dedicated to his job and to the young men he worked with. After he left his job with the state, he worked various jobs in the Steamboat area until his health no longer allowed it. Bob and Barb traveled and visited the great sights of Europe a dozen times. Bob was an avid swimmer and he and his wife got up 5:30 daily, for decades, to swim with their friends at the Hot Springs pool.
He lost his beloved wife two years ago and despite failing health, he carried on, living independently in the family home on Pine Street. He was surrounded by wonderful neighbors who selflessly helped him, so that he could remain independent. Bob was a private man, he requested that no memorial or funeral service be held. He, like his wife, donated his body to scientific research. His remains will be spread by his sons at his favorite fishing spot.