Robert Leonard Brawley

Highlands Ranch - Robert (Bob) Leonard Brawley passed away on Sunday May 12, 2024 in Highlands Ranch, CO surrounded by his wife and children. Bob was born on July 29, 1944 to Leonard and Eva Brawley and raised in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan alongside three siblings. As a young man, Bob excelled at sports, playing hockey in the Canadian Junior League, and playing hockey and football at Michigan State University (MSU). In both 1965 and 1966, Bob helped the Spartans win the National Championship in Football, and he played in the Rose Bowl. He also led the Spartans to win the NCAA Championship in Ice Hockey. His name is enshrined on a Trivial Pursuit card as the only athlete to have played and won national championships for two different sports in the same year. Bob majored in Business and paid his way through school by working summer jobs in Sault Ste. Marie. In his senior year at MSU, Bob met the love of his life, Karen Claus. He would always claim this as the best thing to ever happen to him. Engaged six weeks after meeting, Bob and Karen married after their graduation from MSU in 1969 and spent the next 55 years together.

Bob was drafted into the Army for the Vietnam War and the two of them started their lives together at army bases in Fort Knox, KY and Bremerhaven, Germany. After serving his country, Bob began a highly successful career in heavy equipment construction, and subsequently became the Vice President of US Operations and a Partner at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, based in Colorado. Bob helped grow the company into the largest heavy construction equipment auction company in the world.

Bob and Karen had four children and nine grandchildren. Bob was extremely proud of his family and enjoyed working hard to provide a safe, loving environment and foster a legacy that epitomized his belief in people and the value of family. Bob retired at the young age of 55 and settled into a relaxing life of golf, fly fishing, skiing, poker, attending DU and Colorado Avalanche games, and reading. Bob had a great love for ice hockey and played avidly. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. Bob instilled a respect for sportsmanship and competitive game playing in his children and grandchildren. He was masterful at winning all types of games - cards, board games, extreme croquet, cribbage, chess and more - much to the family's chagrin and often causing a strategic ganging up to beat him at whatever cost!

Bob was an amazing soul, loving husband, supportive father, doting grandfather, and dear friend to many. He thoroughly enjoyed life and the people in his life. He was a warm, social, happy, person that viewed life through a positive lens. He lived life with no judgement and his spirit, generosity, loyalty, and love for all who knew him had no bounds. Bob is survived by his wife Karen, his children Margaret, Bob Jr., Katharine, and Matthew, and their families. He will be tremendously missed, and his legacy not soon forgotten.

A celebration of life for Bob will be held in Colorado this summer. In lieu of flowers, you can honor Bob and his memory with a donation to the Chippewa County Community Foundation at https://www.chippewacountycommunityfoundation.org/donate. Select 'Give to the Community Foundation in honor of Bob Brawley.' Donations will support educational and extracurricular opportunities for students at the Sault Ste. Marie area schools. Alternatively, you can also honor Bob with a donation to your own favorite charity in his name.