Robert Joseph Stein

Robert (Bob) Joseph Stein, 77, of Morrison, Colorado passed away on April 23, 2020 with his wife by his side and his daughter on the phone.

Bob, born Sept. 9, 1942, was the first of five children to Joseph Aloysius Stein and Betty Jean (Philbin) in Denver, Co. He attended Christ the King grade school which his father built and he later attended Regis High School and Regis College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

Bob met the love of his life, Diane Andrew, in 1958 when he was 15 and she was 13. They were married on Jan. 11, 1964 and celebrated 56 years of marriage.

Bob was proud to join the military submarine service and was initially assigned to the U.S. Sea Dragon, a fast attack submarine that was sent to the North Pole. This was one of many highlights of his Navy career.  He was later assigned to a nuclear submarine, the U.S. Andrew Jackson out of Charleston, S.C. based in Rota, Spain. It was there in Charleston, that their first and only child, Norine, was born on Oct. 17, 1964. She was the light of his life and sidekick until his only granddaughter (and namesake), Bobi, was born in 1996.  Bob then had two!

Bob started his banking career in Englewood, Co. with Republic National Bank as their doors opened. He attended the University of Wisconsin to complete his college education while working in the banking industry. He was very active in the industry and held prominent positions in both the American Banking Institute and the Banking Institute of America. Bob’s banking career culminated as Vice President at Mid-States Bank and then President of Jefferson Bank East.

Bob was a strong believer in service to his community. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) for 14 years, where he was elected President of the local chapter and held numerous State positions.  He was also a visible member of the retired Jaycees organization for many years thereafter. He became an active member of the Englewood Sertoma organization in 1978, again holding many local and national positions. He was a prominent member for 41 years.

Bob left the banking industry and purchased Bear Valley Car Wash (BVCW) with Bill Holthaus in 1986 and became sole owner soon after. He operated BVCW for 30 years. Bob affectionately became known to his friends and customers as “Car Wash Bob”.  He sold the wash and retired at age 73.

Bob and Diane moved to Willow Springs in Morrison, Co in 1999 which he described as his “heaven on earth”.   They joined the Red Rocks Country Club which has served as the backdrop for the many fine friends they’ve made in the 20 years they lived there. On calls with his daughter, he would recap the week of golf games, Hilltopper dinners, and Happy Hour events with all their terrific friends who became family.  Bob also served on several community Boards in Morrison.

Everyone who knew Bob knew he was a huge sports fan and held season tickets to the Denver Broncos for thirty seven years. He was famous for his attendance record, “Never missed a game, and never left early”, despite some of the ‘less than stellar’ Bronco seasons or the tremendous cold and snow that was forecast for Game Day.

Bob was incredibly sharp, had an excellent memory, loved a good argument, loved traditions, held strong opinions, and never missed an opportunity to teach his daughter or granddaughter something practical as long as he lived.  He was incredibly loyal to his lifelong friends. He appreciated the simple things, a great home cooked meal, a good glass of red wine or Johnny Walker Red or brandy, Monday Night Football, and his hummingbird, Fatso. He was a softy for stray animals, especially dogs and cats. He was also a passionate card game and golf player. He was famous for his annual Christmas letter which was ALWAYS the first one people received and it was ALWAYS the week after Thanksgiving.  He could do the crossword in PEN in the time it took to fill in the puzzle.   Bob never met a stranger and always found something that put people at ease.

Bob was most proud of his wife, Diane, his daughter, Norine, and his granddaughter, Bobi.

“Bob”, “Dad”, “Papa” was respected and respectful of the many friends and family members that were in his life. He is missed, remembered and loved!

Survived by his wife, Diane Stein, daughter, Norine Stein, granddaughter, Bobi (and Cedric) Simonsen Ginestra, brother Richard (and Robin) Stein, sister Cathy (and Stan) Hattaway, and sister Margaret (Nug) Stein. Bob also leaves many brother and sister-in-laws: David and Sandra Gibbs, Cindy and Woody Odil, and Dino and Rene Andrew.  Bob is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services for Robert J. Stein are as follows:

On August 27, 2021 at 10:30 am there will be a Mass at Light of the World Catholic Church (10316 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, Co 80127 (303) 973-3969) conducted by Father Michael Pavlakovich.  The church will make available remote viewing.  A reception at the church will follow. Internment and Military Honors will be at 2:15pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery (4400 W. Kenyon Ave Denver, CO 80236).

In lieu of flowers, a charitable contribution in Bob’s name can be made to Sertoma International or a charity of your choice.

Robert's Funeral  Mass will be livestreamed, for link please contact Jake Coover at jcoover@horancares.com.