Robert Joseph Case Sr.

ROBERT JOSEPH CASE SR. Bob Case, a long time resident of Cortez and Mancos, Colorado, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a brief illness on February 27, 2010 just after his 90th birthday. He was born on January 4, 1920 as the only son of Emma Viola Beckler Case and Roy Lawrence Case in Crawford, Nebraska. He had an older sister, Mary Alice Case Miller (deceased). Bob is survived by his wife, Gloria Mary Rosenberger Case. They were married in Marion, Ohio on April 9, 1944 which he considered a perfect union that lasted more than 65 years. He is survived by his three sons and one daughter: Dr. Robert Joseph Case, Jr. and wife Ragna of Houston, Texas; David Richard Case and wife Susie of Granbury, Texas; Terry Lee Case and wife Niecey of Grapevine, Texas; and Kathy Anne Case and partner, Michael Hart of Granbury, Texas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren Rebecca Lee Case, Matthew Joseph Medaris Case, David Allen Case, Aaron Patrick Case, Larson Case Bjorklund, Casey Megan Bjorklund, and Travis Lee Case. Grandchildren include Wyatt Henderson Yates plus one more on the way. Bob graduated from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska in 1941 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Teaching Certificate. He taught and coached one year of high school in Utica, Nebraska. He then enrolled at the University of Nebraska as a candidate for the Master of Arts degree, but this effort was cut short by World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942 and completed three flight courses on Reserve status. He was Medically Discharged from Ft. Hayes Medical Hospital, Columbus, Ohio later in the year when the Army discovered that he could only hear in one ear which was the result of a childhood illness. Bob was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and received his 50 year pin in 1997 through the Cortez Lodge. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Lodge in Grand Junction, CO. He received his 3rd degree Master Masonic work with Lodge #70 in Marion, Ohio. Bob belonged to the Rotary and Lions Clubs in Gallup, New Mexico in 1970-1974. He joined the Cortez Elks Club in the mid-1970's. Bob spent most of his life in the aspen excelsior and timber business with various firms located in California, Texas, and Colorado. He started four of these businesses himself. His most recent company was Western Excelsior Co. of Mancos which he started in 1975. He sold his holdings back to the company in 1985 and retired to Cortez in 1988. He was active in children's baseball programs in Arlington, Texas; Boy Scouts of America in Arlington; and various Archery programs. He loved big game hunting (both rifle and archery) and held several Texas State Championships in Archery. He was an avid golfer and played frequently on the Cortez Municipal Golf Course. He was a devoted family man who loved his wife and children and their families above all else.