Robert Berry Obituary

Robert C. "Bob" Berry of Golden, CO passed away on July 7, 2013 due to a bicycle accident. An avid photographer, outdoorsman, and whitewater rafter, Bob grew up in Des Moines, IA and went to college in Ames, IA. He moved to Colorado in 1986 and in later years worked for the US Postal Service. Bob is survived by his cats Clancy, Fletcher, and many cousins and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thurs., Aug. 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the Indian Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada, CO. Please visit http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/Bob_Berry for more information.

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Published by Denver Post on Aug. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Berry

13 Entries

Kathy Migas

July 3, 2014

I miss you.

Mary Kundrat

January 12, 2014

I just heard of Bob's death today. No wonder the stars are brighter and the air more electric. Hugs.

Linda Hickman

November 14, 2013

I hope you are flying high today, the day of your Birth. I know you are looking after all of us and know that we miss you every day. Kiss the sun and the moon for me, love you forever.

jeri pilmer

October 25, 2013

Robert,
How i so wish that this had never happened! You are so deeply missed!! My life will never be the same!! Our family will and is no longer the same! please R.I.P. i will see u in time cousin!!!

Shelley Smith

September 12, 2013

Memories of Bob

A friendship of 43 years is a rare and precious thing.

We met in Ames when he was involved in the peace movement and I became so. He was a lover and sometimes roommate who became a dear friend and a part of the fabric of my life in Iowa and Colorado.

We had many dreams when we were becoming ourselves in Ames: One of our plans was for Bob to be the photographer and me the writer when we worked for National Geographic. He was an extraordinary photographer.

I preceeded him in moving to Colorado in 1986 by about a year. Here he shared his love of rafting and his “river rat friends” with me and I am forever grateful for the many river trips we experienced together. And for introducing me to another extraordinary human being--Buck Buchanan-who attempted to teach me to steer a boat—unsuccessfully I might add. Bob was extraordinarily generous with his passions: rafting, the stars, sci-fi, roller derby, music, word play, jokes, George Carlin.

He was usually on Bob time: which meant LATE FOR EVERYTHING.

We traversed the great plains of Nebraska together many times for holidays with relatives —which either brings you closer or ends your relationship. We spent a fun night several years ago in Aurora, Nebraska. They closed the highway and we had to sneak my dog into the last motel room available during the giant blizzard. But most times we skidded home on a wing and a prayer….

He loved to converse on his home phone but refused to get a smart phone and constantly shared his disdain for texting and my smart phone. This from a man with five or six computers (including an old apple that he was convinced would be worth something some day and apparently may be) and an I-Pad. His friends finally got him a cell-- which he did use when we insisted-- but still rather reluctantly.

He loved all things Apple and his latest crusade was to convince me of the many rich benefits of the I-Pad. While I stubbornly insisted that Apple wannabes were just fine for the likes of me.

He was my ski buddy. We already had our passes for next year wanting to assure that we got five lift tickets for the price of four. But we bickered like an old married couple all the way up the mountain—usually about whose turn it was to drive or some other mundane thing. He was grumpy in the morning and so am I—a lethal combination that we usually managed to surpass.

He cared deeply about his friendships and made the effort to keep in touch. He would accept late night/early morning calls from troubled souls who I had long ago written off. He was always up for our Colorado Iowa nights—gathering the refugees from Iowa for a meal and drinks.

We founded a book club many years ago and participated in its various iterations. He was still planning on breathing life into the latest version that had petered out some months ago. He introduced me to sci-fi literature some of which I rather enjoyed.

We shared our love of film—he preferring action and fantasy and me dragging him to independent films. His next plan was to show me a documentary on his home theater set up about the invention of the vibrator. The vibrator is apparently quite old—dating from those randy Victorians or something. He thought he had a copy of this “hilarious” film but he couldn't find it in his extensive film library so he was seeking a copy at the public library—or COSTCO—another of his favorite places.

He shared his COSTCO membership to buy me a new camera for my Grand Canyon hike. These pictures are the best I have ever taken. He was my go to guy for photography and computer questions.

He did love a bargain and never failed to show up for a home-cooked meal or a restaurant meal fueled by a coupon.

He was delighted by his cats and put up with my affinity for dogs. He totally got why I would not give up on my 12-year-old cocker with cancer.

Garrison Keilor's Society of English Majors lost an eminent member last month. Bob loved words and played SCRABBLE internationally and was tutoring me on how to finally beat my Dutch friend on Words with Friends.

Many of us benefited from his Ames Reunion idea that he conceived and pulled off with his best friend Jim Pearson. I wear my peace beads that we all got at registration with pride. People came from all over the nation to rekindle their unforgettable experiences from the 60s and 70s.

Most of my friends and family scattered everywhere now, met Bob at one time or another and remember him fondly. He had the gift of charm and he loved to flirt with the women. Here is a story sent by my friend Johanna's sister- Henriette Verdonk--from Holland: Yesterday Johanna told me that your very good friend Bob died after a bicycle accident. I express my deep sympathy on Bob's death. I met him on our 1993 trip to Denver at a very nice party at your place. The next day, Bob and I walked in the nearby mountains and during that walk he pointed out the sound of a rattlesnake. We went to look for it and approached it as near as we could. Whenever I see a rattlesnake I think of him.

One of the many ironies of this cosmic error, is that Bob was really enjoying his retirement. I joked with him that he was busier in retirement than when he was working. He filled his life with friends, bike riding, banjo lessons, making digeradoos- a home-made aboriginal musical instrument. Someone posted a lovely concert on his facebook page—that is thankfully very short. And he had many more plans.

A friendship of 43 years is a rare and precious thing.

With a broken heart and much love, thank you, Bob Berry.

August 26, 2013

Dear Bob, We were sorry to hear of your passing. We enjoyed living next to your parents and watching you grow into a man. Your parents are very proud of what you accomplished in your brief life. We always enjoyed your very short visits. We have thought about you and what an exciting life you led. Enjoy your eternal rest.We will miss you.
Your old neighbors, Harold and Larayne Payne.

Sue Rich (Payne)

August 14, 2013

I grew up next door to Bob and his folks in Des Moines, IA. My parents still live there. Over the years, Bob always stayed in touch with them. That was very kind and thoughtful of him. It sounds like he was that kind of guy.

Kathy Rayson

August 14, 2013

Dearest Bobby B,
I remember you in all those happy, crazy days in Ames. Nights and days at The Pizza Den and Larson's. Brief Candle. Saving the world in Womb 5. The best parties ever. Marches. Central campus with the Iowa State Renovated Jug Band. All those people who wanted to end war and save the world. Photo shoots. Great photographs. Great discussions. 127 ½ Welch. Meeting your nice parents at your home in Des Moines. You, my fellow Vonnegut freak, naming my cat Foma. After you played around with naming her Meow Tse Tung. You always remembered my birthday! Every year! I only wish you were here to remember it again this year. I was so glad I got to see you again in Denver in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention. I am so glad you have had such a wonderful life with so many friends. I am glad I was a part of it. I am so glad you were and always will be my friend. There is no one nicer than you. Thank you for being my friend.
Say hi to Vonnegut.
Love,
Migas
a/k/a Kathy Rayson

Vicki Sposeto Munroe

August 13, 2013

I will be with you all in spirit at the memorial. I have so many lovely memories of Bob who was a very large presence at a pivotal time of my life. The last time I saw him was at the Ames Reunion, which reaffirmed my belief that time and distance cannot diminish the relationships we forged.
He was truly one-of-a-kind...the best kind.

Linda Hickman

August 11, 2013

You are free to fly, fly high my friend.

Linda Hickman

August 11, 2013

I lost my best friend. Friends are the family you choose, Bob chose us and we chose Bob. I will miss the trips, dinners, movies and late night talks. You are in my heart, the hearts of my children, grandchildren and family. I will see and hear you in the wind, sunsets, mountains and rivers of my life. I will see you again. Love forever.

Linda Hickman

August 11, 2013

I lost my best friend. I will miss the hugs, movies, dinners, family events and late night talks. Friends are the family you choose, we chose Bob and he chose us. Bob, I will look for you in the sunsets, wind, mountains and rivers of our lives. You are in my heart and the hearts of my children, grandchildren, and family. I will see you again, Love forever.