Robert Bob Timothy

Robert “Bob” Timothy died peacefully September 29, 2017. He was 99. Remembered for his honesty, integrity, and leadership, he had a quiet sense of humor and a willingness to listen and serve as a sounding board to all. Well-known as a Colorado corporate and business leader at the frontiers of an expanding telecommunications industry, Bob was also a civic-minded contributor to the welfare of Denver, Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain region. Bob grew up on his parent’s farm near Peckham, Colorado. After graduating from Gilchrest high school as one of a class of seven during the 1930’s depression, Bob worked his way through the University of Northern Colorado where he earned a teaching degree on June 6, 1941. He then taught high school math, science, and history and coached the basketball team in Fort Lupton. He met his wife Elaine at college and they married on October 23, 1941. They were happily married for 63 years. Bob began his career with the Mountain State’s Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1946 after serving as Captain in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the South Pacific during WWII. Starting as a commercial representative, he worked his way to become Chairman of the Board, following twelve years as President/CEO. He retired in 1983 as the youngest serving president of a “Baby Bell”. During his tenure at Mountain Bell, Bob led the company to achieve milestones in providing high quality, reliable telecommunications services to an ever-growing population of residential and business users in Colorado and the mountain west region. Early in his career he spearheaded the installation of the communication system for the North American Defense Command under Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs and later helped design an historic agreement on hiring and promoting minorities and women. Bob epitomized the Mountain Bell tradition of dedication to customer service. Bob also lent his leadership talents to numerous charitable, civic and educational organizations including: the Board of Trustees of the University of Denver, the Colorado Women’s College, and the University of Northern Colorado,(where he was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws). He was a Director of United Banks of Denver, the Air Force Academy Foundation, and Lutheran Medical Center. He also served on boards of the Denver Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (who named him Colorado Business Leader of the year in 1980), the Denver Area Boy Scout Council, Mile High United Way, the Gates Foundation, the National Parks Foundation, and the Denver Symphony. He served as national president of the Telephone Pioneers of America and President of Denver Rotary. Bob was an avid golfer and played an integral role in the Castle Pines International Golf Tournament as Chairman of the Tournament Board. He also pursued fly-fishing whenever he could get on a stream or river. His love of fly-fishing was second only to his love of golf. Bob is preceded in death by his wife Elaine Hurd, brothers Dean, Rex and Reed, and sister Virginia. He is survived by his son, Alan and wife Helen of Littleton, daughter Kristen Lankester and husband Charles of Sleepy Hollow, New York as well as granddaughter Kathryn Lankester of Brooklyn, New York; grandsons Matt Timothy of Denver, Jason Timothy and wife Natalie and their four children: Brayden, Tyler, Gabriella and Camelia of Plano Texas. With a deep sense of gratitude the family gives special thanks to the caregivers at Brookdale-University Park and to Denver Hospice in the last days of Bob’s life. A memorial celebration will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., November 18th at the Denver Country Club. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Telecommunications History Museum Group, P.O Box 8719, Denver, CO 80201. Please share your memories of Bob and condolences with the family by signing out Guestbook below.