Robert Couey

J. Robert Couey , 64, passed away November 5, 2009 at his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico after a courageous 2 ½ year battle against ALS-Lou Gehrig's Disease.
He was born and raised in Trinidad, Colorado, the son of James and Bethene Couey. Bob graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder where he also completed his studies for a Masters Degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies . He had also attended universities in Mexico and Lima, Peru. He met his wife, Dedra, while both were on a United States, State Department sponsored, Senior- Year- Abroad.
After teaching in Denver for five years, he purchased and ran the family business, Couey Storage and Transfer. In 1977 he began a career in international moving and relocation. The Couey's have lived and worked in Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Madrid, Spain and La Quinta, California. They had retired in New Mexico in 2008.
Bob had a life-long love of the Spanish language, literature and of Latin American and Spanish cultures. The grandson of the Directors of Parks and Recreation in La Jolla, CA, he grew up playing tennis and was an outstanding athlete, winning numerous tennis and golf titles.
Mr. Couey had been a senior executive with Graebel, Allied, Bekins and Mayflower Van Lines. He and his wife developed and ran Interdean International Relocation, helping executives with the legalities, housing, schooling and adapting to living abroad, throughout Western and Eastern Europe. When he retired, Bob was Vice President of Allied International for Latin America.
Bob accepted the diagnosis of ALS with calm and grace and continued to live everyday with a smile, laughter and a real joy for the little things in life. Bob felt that God had a blessed life. The diagnosis of this devastating disease did not change the gratitude he felt. Bob was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, concern and prayers from family, friends and strangers. He was at peace.
He is survived by his wife, Dedra; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Richard Arbuckle, and grandsons, Nathan and Jason; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Kevin Dini and granddaughter, Emerson, all of Broomfield, Colorado; brother, Bill and family, Siloam Springs, AR; sister, Gail Currin, San Diego, CA; uncle, Bob Talboy, Pendleton, OR and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. His sister, Barbara Sullivan preceded him in death last year.
Mr. Couey was cremated and a memorial celebration service is pending.