Robert (Bob) Witt

Robert (Bob) S. Witt, a veteran of the Korean War, passed away on July 3rd at the age of 85 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family at home in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Family was dear to Bob and he will be greatly missed.  He is survived by his wife Patricia (Pat); his daughters Lisa Krier (Shawn), Stacey Gallatin, Heather Hait (John), and Shannon Burgert; his sister Geraldine Witt of Maryland; and grandchildren Sydney, Emma, Brady, Carter, and Lacey. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alys Paris, and his sister, Patricia Francke.

Bob lived a very full life, and it all began in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1936. Soon his family moved to Florida, where he was raised.

At the age of 15, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. In honor of his service, Bob earned multiple medals, including a Purple Heart, recognition as an underage veteran, and the Korean Service Medal. Most importantly, at the age of 16, he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor for his heroism in rescuing three injured comrades, despite having been wounded early in the day. Over four years, Bob served in Japan, Korea, and China and he later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.  He also served in the Florida National Guard.

Following his service in the Army, Bob finished high school through a GED, and he later studied engineering at Tampa University. He was a pilot and airline mechanic for a few years and an insurance adjuster for many more. Bob’s earlier professional story is eclectic, including dog training, bartending, and professional water-skiing.  Bob was no ordinary pro water-skier; among his best-known feats was—no joke—teaching an elephant to water-ski.

Bob and Pat met at a Halloween party—she as Pocahontas and he too cool for a costume—and while they humorously told different stories of how that first interaction unfolded, in both versions they quickly fell in love and married in Colorado in 1986. They later moved to California and Upstate New York, but they returned to Colorado to be near their daughters after he retired.

Bob never liked being idle and he loved being on the water. Over the years he owned many boats including motor and sail boats. He continued to water-ski through most of his life and taught his daughters to water-ski as well. While living in California he purchased an old wooden Chris-Craft cabin cruiser that he fully restored and would cruise the delta river every free chance he had. In recent years he could be found puttering in his garage, on his knees digging in the garden and pulling weeds, or taking photos of wildlife and flowers. Chores got done early in the day, because he loved to sit back with a book and watch the National Geographic and History channels. He regaled neighbors with stories of his travels and generously leant out any tool someone might need.

Looking back, Bob dreamed of a career in archaeology. He craved a good French dip or Cuban sandwich and banana cream pie, and he never missed his morning coffee. He was a peanut butter cookie-aholic. Above all, Bob enjoyed getting together with family and friends for a barbecue. Until his last days his family continued to learn of his interests and escapades; singing, goldfish, and a grizzly bear all came to light.

Bob was stoic, stubborn, and a fighter until the end. He was a generous donor to many charities. He was a keen historian, watched the news religiously, and would have given any Jeopardy contestant a run for their money.

Bob’s signature dry humor always drew laughter. According to Bob, as a child he slept in a dresser drawer and he’d walk uphill both ways barefoot to school in the Florida snow. He never napped, but he was regularly known to check his eyelids for holes midday. When parting ways he often said, “Well, I’m glad you got to see me,” and the feeling was mutual. We were glad he got to see us, too.

One last quintessential Bob-ism: Among his common responses to “How are you, Bob?” was “Well, I read the obituaries this morning and I wasn’t in there, so I must be okay.” We were lucky to have you, Bob. We are so grateful that you lived a long and full 85 years before this obituary eventually, sadly, arrived.

A private military service is planned. Bob will be honored with a burial at Fort Logan in Denver, Colorado. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Humane Society of the United States.