Robert E. Dils

ROBERT E. DILS Robert E. Dils was born on July 6, 1919 in Ohio. He passed away on Friday, July 4, 2008 after a long and fruitful life at his Dolores residence at the age of 88. Bob attended Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio before serving four years in the Army in WWII. He earned BS and MS degrees at Colorado State University and a PhD from Michigan State University. Dr. Dils taught Forestry at MSU and University of Michigan for many years prior to returning to Colorado State University. While there he was instrumental in starting the Watershed Science program that recently celebrated its 50th year. Dils went on to become the Dean of the College of Natural Resources at CSU. In 1977-78, he served as an exchange scientist in Washington, D.C. as the Director or Forest Environment Research. His career involved world travel and consulting assignments with the United Nations, U.S. Agency for International Development, National Science Foundation, National Research Council, U.S. EPA, Lincoln College in New Zealand, University of the Andes in Venezuela, and the Chinese-American Commission on Rural Reconstruction in Taiwan. Bob Dils is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nedra; three daughters, Lynn Buchanan and husband, James of McElmo Canyon, Jan Shepard and husband, Larry of Dolores, and Kris Holstrom and husband, John of San Miguel County, Colo.; five grandchildren, Kiri Buchanan, Jamie Yarbrough and husband, Trent, Lindsay Yarbrough and husband, Aaron, Kirk and Kelsey Holstrom; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Betty and husband, Gerry of Florida; his brother, Maynard Dils and wife, Barbara of Ohio; and his sister-in-law, Marie Dils of Ohio. Cremation has taken place and an informal service of gratitude for the life of Bob Dils will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 at the Dils house, 27515 Road U.6. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to in Bob's memory to Hospice of Montezuma, P.O. Box 740, Cortez, Colo. 81321 or to the Dolores Fire and Rescue.