Obituary of Robert Elliott Stephens

Robert E. Stephens, age 75, passed away on April 23, 2019 after a brief illness. He was a loving husband, father, and brother who had retired from working as the Regional Chief Appraiser for a major national lender.He was born on June 6, 1943 in Berkeley, California and the family soon moved to Colorado. While growing up in Colorado, he was an avid skier. In these, his more limber years, he also worked on the railroad during the summers out of school. He graduated from Glenwood Springs High School in 1961 and received his BA in Aeronautical Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1968.He served his country in the United States Navy and received numerous medals and commendations, including service on the Admiral's staff. Bob was a workaholic until he retired in 2014. He loved his road trips with his wife, Deb, and searching for sea shells on trips to the beach. His daughter's fondest memories are of him teaching her how to fish when she was a little girl. He had a love for woodworking and his last big project was to help his daughter build a potting bench for her greenhouse.He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Clifford Patterson and Rose Lavonne St. John; his adoptive father, Edwin E. (Steve) Stephens; his sister, Karen Stephens; and his infant son, Robert Elliott Stephens, Jr.He is survived by his wife, Deb of Colorado Springs; his daughter, Kristina Diane (John Oakes) Stephens-Oakes of Colorado Springs; his brother, Gregory Stephens; his step-children, Justin Smith, Jared Smith and Stacie Smith; and his stepmother, Colleen Stephens. He is also survived by six step-grandchildren.Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in Bob's memory may be made to the Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation at 2550 Tenderfoot Hill, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906 or online at: https://www.pikespeakhospice.org/donate-today He will be dearly missed.