Robert ""Rob"" Friend

Robert ""Rob"" C. Friend (55) of Westminster, CO was called to his heavenly home Wednesday, June 15, 2011. He died peacefully. Visitation from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 19 at Horan & McConaty, Arvada, CO. Funeral Service conducted by Pastor Philip Kieselhorst at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Westminster, CO. Rob was born in Chicago Heights, IL on May 9, 1956 to Clarence and Rose Mary Friend and grew up in Park Forest, IL. He worked for Baker Furniture (Holland, MI), Pullman Standard (Chicago and Hammond, IN), Sweeney Mill (Boulder), and various cabinet shops. He loved to work with wood and generously gave of his handiwork to friends and family. Rob spent nearly 20 years giving wood art classes to the students of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School in Westminster and St. John's Lutheran School in Lake City, MN. When he wasn't in the garage, Rob cheered on his favorite teams, the Chicago White Sox, Bears, and Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Denver Nuggets, and enjoyed current events and politics, the mountains, and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Janis (Jan) (nee Langebartels); two daughters, Rachel (Ben) Kanter of Lake City, MN and Emily Friend of Westminster, CO; two sisters, Kathy (John) Westlund of Phoenix, AZ and Betty (Emidio) Bartolomei of Henderson, NV; one brother, Earl (Josephine) Friend of Las Vegas, NV; one brother-in-law, James (Shirley) Langebartels of Imlay City, MI; three aunts, Mary Della Coomer of Bedford Park, IL, Mary (Wayne) Friend of Friendsville, MD, and Dorothy Fike (Valparaiso, IN); three uncles, William (Karen) Allen of Lowell, IN, Arthur (Nancy) Allen of IL, and Earl (Carolyn) Friend of Summit, IL; four nephews, Phillip (Cynthia) Westlund, Steven (Lora) Bartolomei, Peter (Sonja) Bartolomei, David (Kelly) Friend; three nieces, Janice (Scott) Scornavacco, Erica (Paul) Harris, and Jennifer (Tom) Pisterzi; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Rob is preceded in death by his father Clarence Friend, his mother Rose Mary (Allen) Friend, and one brother, James Friend. Memorials to can be given to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (8997 W. 88th Ave., Westminster, CO 80021), The Solid Education Foundation (9878 Teller Ct., Westminster, CO 80021), or Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School (2300 W. 90th Ave., Denver, CO, 80260). Please share your memories of Rob and condolences with his family by selecting the ""sign guestbook"" button.