Robert Z. Mesko

Robert ""Bob"" Z. Mesko, 49, passed away on November 16, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer, including two stem-cell transplants for both lymphoma and leukemia. Bob had a wonderful smile, a quick sense of humor, a tremendous intellect, and a passion for family, life and career. Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, he immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 6 years old. He grew up in New York City and was a proud alumnus of Regis High School in New York City, class of 1981. He graduated from Columbia University with a BA in 1985. In 2006, he fulfilled a life-long dream of appearing on Jeopardy and became a seven-time champion. From 1997 to 2002, Bob founded and served as Executive Director of the Bratislava Dance Theater in Slovakia. He returned to the United States and served as an Arts Management Fellow at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 2004, he moved to Denver where he continued his work for the advancement of the arts as Director of Development for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. From there, Bob went on to work at the University of Denver as Director of Development for the performing arts program and the Newman Center. Bob was an avid patron, enthusiastic advocate and appreciator of the arts, with a particular passion for modern dance. He most recently performed with the AXIS Dance Company at the University of Denver in April despite being in the midst of chemotherapy treatment. Bob and Natalie met online and quickly bonded over their zest for life, love of travel and devotion to one another. In February 2007, they married in true Cajun style in Lafayette, Louisiana. Their daughter, Vivienne, was born in December 2008. Bob fully embraced his role as a devoted father. He was tremendously proud of his little girl, enthusiastically supporting her as she grew into a delightful and precocious preschooler. Bob greatly enjoyed Vivienne's enthusiasm for reading, French and gymnastics. Bob's love for his family and passion for life sustained him during his long and difficult battle with cancer, and his memory will live on with his many friends and family. He is survived by loving wife, Natalie Cross Mesko, and young daughter, Vivienne, of Denver; sister, Tricia Gorko, and brother-in-law, Dave Gorko, of Denver; father-in law Villere Cross and mother-in-law, Sharon Cross, of New Iberia, Lousiana; father-in-law Tony Mergist, of Santa Fe; and brother-in-law, Casey Cross, currently residing in Tel Aviv, Israel. There will be a visitation on Monday, November 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., (Rosary beginning at 6:45 p.m.) at Horan and McConaty Funeral Home, 1091 South Colorado Blvd., in Denver. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2200 South Harrison Street in Denver, with a reception to follow at the Parish Center. Burial will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday at Fairmount Cemetery, 430 South Quebec Street in Denver. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Vivienne's college fund (email Harold Kirschner at harold@shwj.com for account information), Regis High School (New York), or the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Natalie and Vivienne will treasure your memories of Bob which can be shared with them by selecting the Guestbook link below.