WELKER, Robert "Bob" Edward

Robert "Bob" Edward Welker, 66, died Sept. 21, 2006, at his home in Colorado Springs. He was born in Parsons, Kan., in 1939. He graduated from Beloit High School in Beloit, Kan., in 1957 and completed his formal education at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He received a bachelor of science degree in business administration in 1961. Like his father, he was employed in a management position for several years with the J. C. Penney Co. in various stores. Having always had a passion for public service, he enlisted in the United States Navy and completed Officers Candidate School at Annapolis, Md., achieving the rank of second lieutenant. He was a Vietnam War veteran after volunteering in 1962. He was stationed on the light cruiser USS Little Rock and served as a military advisor to the South Vietnamese army in early years of the conflict. After service in the U.S. Navy, he moved to Buena Vista and began a family with his former wife Joyce Loeffel, who lives in Saratoga, Wyo. Some of his accomplishments include beginning restoration of the Webb hotel in downtown Buena Vista where he operated the "Old Web" Antique store and Welker Realty and Auction Co. While living in Buena Vista, he served as a Chaffee County Commissioner and as Commander of American Legion Post No. 55. He and his wife, LeeAnn, relocated to Colorado Springs in 1995. In 2000 they opened a successful sign business called Sign Management Services. Mr. Welker is survived by his wife, LeeAnn; sons, Brian, Chris, and Robert Jr.; his mother, Lola Welker and his sister, Judy Miller, both of Trinity, Fla. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Welker, Sr. A family memorial service was held Sept. 29, 2006, in Colorado Springs. Mountain Mail