Robert Wittenbrink

Obituary for Robert Wittenbrink
In Memoriam: Robert James Wittenbrink
"He was a good man."
With heavy hearts and fond memories, we say goodbye to Robert James Wittenbrink – husband, father and friend. He took on life with good humor, wisdom and a never ending thirst for knowledge. Affectionately known as "Bob" or "R.J.," he made the world a better place through his presence. Bob was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 15, 1935. His life touched so many, until he peacefully departed the world on August 11, 2023, in Denver, Colorado surrounded by his family.
Bob received his early education at St. Henry's Seminary in Bellevue, Illinois. He was strong academically, placing first in a national Latin championship. He was also a varsity athlete competing in basketball and baseball. Following his secondary education, Bob served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 where he was stationed in the U.S. homeland on a Nike Missile battery in Pennsylvania. Following his military service, Bob earned an AB "artium baccalaureus" degree in Humanities and Languages from St. Louis University. He then attended DePaul University and the University of Denver School of Law graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1963.
Bob is survived by his wife Gail of 62 years whom he married in Yankton, South Dakota in 1961; his three children Chris (Tracy), Craig (Debra) and Michelle Wittenbrink; three granddaughters, Jayna and Trisha Wittenbrink and Nicole Sortino; brothers, Larry and John Wittenbrink, and sister, Meg Wittenbrink. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilarius and Marie Wittenbrink, and sister, Marie Claire Lemke.
"Bob was the consummate professional."
Bob was a self-made man working for himself for most of his career. There were two professional paths he traveled. The first was the practice of law and the second was entrepreneurial, including real estate development.
Bob's law practice started with a twist of fate when as a young lawyer, the attorney he was working for was killed in a small plane crash. He took over the practice and never looked back. He later teamed with fellow attorneys and life-long friends James Stitt and Phil Roan in the law firm Stitt, Wittenbrink, and Roan. Bob loved the practice of law. His ability to counsel his clients and guide them through difficult situations endeared him to many. His temperament was even-keeled and he had a remarkable ability to remain calm in most every situation. His clients found this ability comforting and helpful. Bob served as the Adams County Bar Association President in the late 1970's. He was a counselor's counselor.
Much of Bob's legal work addressed real estate matters where he then worked in various development ventures. He had several successes and failures in real estate development, riding the ups and downs of the Colorado economy.
"Colorado is God's Country"
Colorado was Bob's home. He often declared "Colorado is God's country." He loved the mountains and the outdoors, spending time with his kids backpacking and sometimes skiing. He was passionate about golf and he maintained memberships at the Broomfield Country Club and The Ranch Country Club. He worked on his swing constantly, hitting balls into a net in the yard or swinging his clubs inside where he sometimes inflicted small wounds to the house. He loved baseball and was a longtime Rockies season ticket holder. Bob was a funny man who loved to laugh. He had a quick wit and dry sense of humor. He also found it entertaining to debate all topics. It didn't matter what side of an issue he took he just enjoyed the discussions. He was a life-long reader of history, politics and science and enjoyed the search and acquisition of knowledge to better understand the world.
He also loved his cars owning a Mustang, a Datsun 240Z, and Mercedes 450 SLC coup. Occasionally while driving the family on cross-country vacations, he would suddenly and unexpectedly floor the accelerator and declare it was needed to "blow out the engine." His family was, and remains, suspect of the reason but it was certainly fun.
Bob adored his granddaughters and always looked forward to their visits.
Bob's life was a great influence on so many and his legacy will live on in his family and friends. He will be missed.
A memorial mass will be held on August 29th, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church, 900 Midway Blvd, Broomfield, Colorado. Please visit Nool.us and go to the livestream mass button if you cannot attend. A luncheon to be held at the church immediately after the service followed by the internment at Broomfield County Commons Cemetery 12801 Sheridan Blvd.