Robert J. Arkins

Bob was born in Duluth, MN to Loren and Jennie Arkins. He spent his boyhood in Thompson, MN where he enjoyed playing and exploring in the forestland that surrounded his home. This experience would ultimately lead to a career in forestry and outdoor recreation. During WWII, Bob?s family moved to St. Paul, where he was able to complete his high school education and earn a degree in forest management at the University of Minnesota in 1953. Soon after graduation, he was called to duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He served as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division. Upon returning home, Bob accepted a position as a forester with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks in Rapid City. He later moved to Pierre where he was promoted to the State?s Chief Forester and Director of the statewide park system. It was in Pierre that he met Peggy Wenzel, his love and life-long partner. They were married on December 20, 1959 and this past December 20th they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. In 1965, Bob and Peggy left Pierre when Bob took a position with the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation in the Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. This move proved to be the greatest blessing of their lives as this is where they became parents of their adopted babies, John and Caroline. In 1967, Bob?s dream to live in Colorado came true when he was promoted to a position where he administered the grants program at the regional level and supervised a recreational rivers and trails technical assistance program for local governments at the Denver Federal Center. He was at the National Park Service until his retirement in 1991. Following retirement, Bob suffered many medical setbacks including 24 heart procedures, cancer, and becoming a paraplegic in 2005. His positive attitude allowed him to continue to enjoy life, spending time at the library reading, watching the history channel, old western movies, shopping with Peggy, and even fly fishing. He was an incredibly intelligent man and was lovingly known to many as Mr. Google. Bob is survived by his wife Peggy, children John (Jamie) Arkins and Caroline (Kevin) Lockwood, and granddaughter Erin Lockwood. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Lois McGowan of Cottonwood, AZ. Interment will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery at 10 am on Tuesday, January 14. A memorial service will be held that day at noon at Glory of God Lutheran Church at 12200 W. 38th St, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Glory of God Lutheran Church.