Robert Tenneson

Robert H. 'Bob' Tenneson passed away on September 11, 2020, in Littleton, Colorado.  Born in Pillsbury, North Dakota, Bob was the youngest of six children and only son of Henry Tenneson and Cora Steffarud.  Growing up in Fargo, North Dakota, the schools he attended from elementary through college were all less than a mile from his home.  He graduated from North Dakota State University in 1950 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Bob married Patricia Cook in Fargo on September 29, 1951.

Bob belonged to ROTC while in college, joined the Air Force in 1951, and he and Pat moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was stationed at ENT Air Force Base, which, at that time, had just opened as the site of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). A favorite story he loved to tell was when he was sent to an airbase in Japan at the same time he was to be discharged from the Air Force.  He spent three weeks there and it was quite a memorable adventure.

The next move was to Wichita, Kansas, for a job with Cessna Aircraft.  He later joined the Martin K. Eby Construction Company in Wichita where he worked for 16 years.  During this time, the company transferred Bob and his family to job sites in Englewood, Colorado; Cheyenne Wyoming; New Orleans, Louisiana and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, always returning to Wichita when the jobs were completed.  The family moved to Littleton, Colorado in 1971 when Bob joined Penner Construction Company.  He and Pat also lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma and then returned to Littleton in 1980.  Bob finished his Engineering career with Centric Constructors.

Bob could sketch a picture of anything we could imagine.  His drawings always entertained, inspired, and brought many smiles to his children and grandchildren.  He especially enjoyed painting portraits and architecturally intricate buildings, often inspired by family travels.  He never had any art training but had a natural talent for exact proportion and detail.  This attention to detail and craftsmanship was especially evident in the scale model airplanes he carefully assembled and loved sharing with friends and family.  He taught himself to play the piano and enjoyed singing in church choirs.  Bob loved to be outdoors, and completed five marathons in Denver as well as many local races including the Cherry Creek Sneak and the Bolder Boulder.

Bob leaves his wife Patricia, a son, Tom Tenneson, a daughter Suzanne Kelly (Randy) and grandchildren Paige Tenneson, Seth Tenneson, Bryan Kelly (Alanna) and David Kelly (Lucy).

He will be remembered by those privileged to have known him as clever, hard working, talented, deliberate, and thoughtful.

Burial will be at Fort Logan at a later date with military honors. In lieu of flowers. Donations in Bob’s honor may be made to a charity of your choice..