Robert Leon Seaton

Robert L. (Bob) Seaton passed away on 03/14/2023 at home in Cortez, Colorado at the age of 89. He was born in Laramie, Wyoming on April 14, 1933 to Otto G. and Mary Hazel Seaton. He attended school in Laramie and graduated from Laramie High School in 1952. He joined the Wyoming National Guard and served for two years, then enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954. He was stationed at Fairbanks, Alaska for two years and was discharged in 1956 with the rank of Sgt. First Class. After his discharge, he attended the University of Wyoming at Laramie and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in January 1961.  

He began his employment with the Colorado State University Extension Service in February 1961 in Canon City, Colorado, where he spent two years as Assistant Fremont County Agent. Then he transferred to Archuleta County where he served at Pagosa Springs for three years as County Agent. He resigned to manage the Fourmile Ranch near Pagosa for three years. In August 1969, he accepted the position of Sublette County Agent with the Wyoming University Extension Service located in Pinedale, Wyoming. 

In September of 1973, he relocated to Cortez, Colorado to serve as Montezuma County Extension Director until he retired in December of 1992. During his years in Cortez, he also worked as Open Class Cattle Superintendent at the National Western Stock Show in January in Denver, Colorado for 17 years. He also worked at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colorado as a 4-H Horse Show Superintendent for five years. He always felt his most-lasting contribution in Montezuma County was the concept and final realization of a county fairgrounds. Along with the foresight, perseverance, and hard work of his Home Agent Jan High and County Commissioner Bill Bauer, and along with all the participation of 4-H members, 4-H Leaders, parents and communities, this dream was finally realized. He helped chaperone a group of Montezuma County 4-H members on a Fourth of July bus trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. While there, they visited Times Square in New York City and the Statue of Liberty.  

After his retirement, Bob stayed busy with jobs with the local Walmart and the Dolores Water Conservancy District. In 1995, he and wife, Barbara fulfilled an item on their bucket list and drove an RV from Wickenburg, Arizona up the Alcan Highway to Alaska and back down through British Columbia. They returned to Wickenburg where they stayed for four years, then lived in Sequim, Washington for three years, spent eight years in Albuquerque, New Mexico and then another six years in Fort Collins, Colorado. Final destination for the wanderers was a return to Cortez, Colorado in September of 2018.  

Bob enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, hunting and camping with his family. He spent several hunting seasons guiding big game hunters on Fourmile Ranch near Pagosa Springs and in Wyoming in the Gros Vente mountains near Jackson Hole. Bob had a deep personal Christian faith and always found confirmation and strength in it with a drive through the beautiful mountains of our country. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph and Thomas; sister, Irene Joann; and daughter-in-law, Teresa (Alan). He is survived by his wife, Barbara of 63 years; sons, Alan Seaton and Bret Seaton of Cortez; daughters, Sherry (Rocky) Ullom of Port Orchard, WA and Carrie Seaton (Robert Nieto) of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren, Julie (John) Pearce, Sean (Zoe) Philby, Danielle Philby, G. Robert Seaton, Alysia Nieto and Anthony Nieto; several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Per his request, no services are planned. There will be a Casual Remembrance Get-Together on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the Cortez Recreation Center from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Cremation has taken place and his cremated remains will be scattered in the summer in the mountains.

Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society of Colorado, St. Jude.org or Shriner’s Hospital for Children.