Robert Earl Guttridge

Robert Earl Guttridge, 80, passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on February 14, 2026. Born January 24, 1946, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he was the beloved son of Earl "Gus" Guttridge and Hazelmae Vaughn.
During his early years, Bob lived in Montana, Colorado, and Alaska while his father served in the Air Force. Those landscapes shaped him, nurturing a lifelong love for the mountains and the quiet beauty of the wilderness. He earned his bachelor's degree from Colorado School of Mines and later received a Merit Scholarship to pursue his master's degree at the University of Massachusetts.
While studying in Massachusetts, Bob met Aysun Gursel. He waited for her to complete her year at Mount Holyoke College before they married. Together they raised two daughters, Nida and Leyla, whom he cherished deeply. Bob was a man of faith who knew Jesus and raised his girls in the fellowship of Calvary Chapel, grounding their childhood in scripture, church community, and summers spent at Christian camps that shaped their early walk with God.
He also deeply valued pursuing an education and encouraged his daughters, stepdaughters and grandchildren to pursue learning. He took great pride in their studies and accomplishments, always urging them to "keep going" and reach for the next step.
Bob went on to build a long and respected career as a chemical engineer, with assignments that took him across the world, including South America, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Though he traveled widely, his heart always belonged to the rugged beauty of Colorado - its hiking trails, old mining claims, fishing, Jeep roads and mountain views.
Later in life, Bob married Elidia Russeau, embracing not only a partner but an expanded family that includes her daughters Brenda Aguilar and Lori Russeau and welcoming many more grandchildren.
Bob delighted in exploring God's creation - wandering mountain paths, studying old mining sites, and losing track of time in the wilderness he adored. His family fondly recalls the day he "ran out for ice" and disappeared for hours, returning cheerful and unbothered after striking up a long conversation with a gas station attendant. That was Bob: curious, social, and always following the thread of a good story.
He considered himself "ornery" in the most endearing way - spirited, sharp-witted, and always ready for a lively political debate. He loved researching anything that caught his interest and could happily disappear down a rabbit hole of learning. He often clipped newspaper articles and mailed them to family, sharing whatever new topic captured his attention.
Bob is survived by a large and loving family, including his grandchildren:
Lexi, Jackson, and Ayla, children of Nida and Jack Dillon.
Aysun, Sevilen, Esra, Ceyda, and Avni, children of Leyla Guttridge.
Savannah, Dallas, Austin, and Maddison, children of Brenda Aguilar.
Sofia, Aiden, and Gianna, children of Lori Russeau.
In honor of Bob's life, memorial contributions may be made to the Colorado School of Mines Foundation, supporting scholarships and higher education- a reflection of his deep belief in learning and the opportunities it creates.
His legacy lives on in the family he loved the mountains he explored, and the faith that guided him home.