Robert "Bob" Clarence Heyder

  On September 14, 2022, Robert "Bob" Clarence Heyder of Mancos, Colorado, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his family.

  Bob was the third son born to Heinrich and Emilie Heyder on December 27, 1928, in Oakland, California.

 Bob always enjoyed the outdoors. He joined the Forestry Division of Yosemite National Park in 1947 and left to serve in the United States Army Infantry during the Korean War from 1950-1952. After being injured in Korea and earning a Purple Heart, Bob returned to work in Yosemite and received a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management in 1958 from Humbolt State University. Bob worked as a Seasonal Park Ranger at Muir Woods National Monument before becoming a permanent District Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park.

  It was at the Grand Canyon, in 1960, Bob met his true love, Katherine Koverman. They married in 1962, while Bob was Chief Park Ranger at Chaco Canyon National Monument, and their great adventure began. Next, they were stationed at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where Bob was a District Ranger and then on to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield as a Management Assistant. While Bob and Katherine were at Wilson’s Creek, their first child, Walter joined their life adventure.

Bob went to Capitol Reef National Monument as the Superintendent and they added another member, Anneliese to the family. 

   From here they went to Bryce Canyon National Park (Superintendent) for 3 years and then on to Zion National Park (Superintendent), where the youngest member, Gretchen, of the adventurous family arrived. In 1979, Bob took the position of Superintendent of Mesa Verde National Park. While at Mesa Verde, he also served as General Superintendent of Hovenweep and Yucca House National Monuments. In 1984, Bob organized the First World Conference on Cultural Parks that was held at Mesa Verde and he oversaw the park’s acceptance as a World Heritage Site.

  Bob retired from the National Park Service after 42 years of government service in 1993, including 14 years at Mesa Verde National Park. After retiring, he kept active in public service including serving on several boards: Colorado Endowment for the Humanities, United States Committee, International Council on Monuments and Sites, Durango Choral Society and the Mancos Valley Historical Society.

  Bob was an opera and classical music enthusiast. He was passionate about trains (especially steam), National Parks, gardening, and anything that his children and grandchildren were doing. He also loved to travel with Katherine, and they enjoyed many wonderful trips all over the world.

  Bob is survived by Katherine, his wife of 60 years, Children: Walter and wife Diana Heyder, Anneliese and husband Brad Shaw, and Gretchen and husband Isaac Duran and grandchildren: Caroline, Bern, Delphina and Aurelia.

  A memorial service for Bob will be held November 5, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the Mancos Opera House, 136 W. Grand Ave. Mancos, CO. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Montezuma, PO Box 740, Cortez, CO 81321.