Robert H. Gleason
Marriages
Nancy Morris
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot - February 25, 2014
unknown - February 12, 2014
Robert H. (Bob) Gleason, formerly of Northwest Colorado, died Feb. 12 in Punta Gorda, Fla. A private service will be held when the grass is green and the trout are biting.
Steamboat Pilot - August 13, 2014
“We like to reminisce about the good old days but hell, right now is pretty great.” His quote from the Steamboat Pilot in1985 as Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade describes Bob Gleason's infectious optimism. Born in Norton, Ks on April 26, 1925, Bob passed away on February 12, 2014 at his retirement home in Florida. In between he left a legacy of community involvement and raising a family in Steamboat Springs. Bob gave his family a wonderful life and was always there to support his kids in their activities.
Bob was raised in Denver and after graduating from high school he enlisted in the Army to fight in WWII. Before shipping out as a infantryman, Bob and Nancy Morris were married in Fort Smith, Arkansas where he was stationed after basic training. His orders took him to Europe arriving in time to fight the Battle of the Bulge and eventually liberating Paris.
After his discharge, he returned to Denver and enrolled in Denver University graduating with both an undergraduate and a law degree in 4 years. Bob and Nancy found Steamboat Springs in 1950 and his love of the valley and its people began. He first began his law practice with Ray Monson and eventually acquired the practice. Over the years he gained the respect of his peers and was often referred to as the dean of local attorneys. He believed he was ethically bound to do the right thing even if it wasn't necessarily in the best interest of his clients. Bob became an expert in water law sensing its future value to Northwestern Colorado.
Bob was awed by the beauty of the valley and was soon hooked on fly fishing and hunting. Summers would find Bob and Bill Allen jeeping in his war surplus Willys Jeep into remote streams in search of trout. If they didn't find any, they would soon return with a milk barrel of fingerlings to stock the streams, carefully brushing out their tracks so no one would know of their private fishing holes. In the early 50's, Bill Neish bought an airplane and on one of the maiden flights Bob and Bill flew to Canada in search of pike and lake trout.
Community involvement was the cornerstone of Bob's career. He served on various boards and committees. He was president of the Lion’s Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the school board and the northwest Colorado Bar Association. Bob was Routt County Attorney in the 60’s and as such actively supported the Routt County Fair in Hayden. One year the Horse Show judge failed to show up and County Attorney Bob Gleason located him in the County Jail and bailed him out just long enough to ensure that 4-H kids were not disappointed.
Somewhere along the line Bob met Jim Thompson. They became fast friends and together they thought that raising yearling calves could be not only fun but profitable. The old adage of “double up to catch up” soon became their motto. Withing a few years they were running over 2000 yearlings. One year when they were particularly cash strapped they couldn't afford to truck the herd from Brown's Park where they wintered, back to town. So ever resourceful, they collected their families and friends and drove the herd the 120 miles to town on the highway. They called the three week adventure the last big cattle drive of the west.
When the Steamboat Golf Course was built he volunteered his expertise, even though he had only played one round of golf, and got the project off the ground. As real estate values skyrocketed, he recognized the need for a facility to provide subsidized, affordable housing for Routt County seniors so they could stay in the valley. Together with Del Scott he enlisted the help of Marvin Brown and Dr. Price to found the Routt County Seniors Foundation. Jim Golden was soon brought aboard and they set out to fund and build the Mountain View Manor on Pine Street and then again to fund and build the Selbe apartments at the mountain. He also realized that many rural seniors had little access to health care and started the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). From its humble beginnings of a half time nurse to a present organization of well over 100 employees, the VNA has become a model for rural health care. Bob was also instrumental in the donation of land for the Strawberry Park schools from Harry Eiteljorg and then again when Harry donated the land for the Spring Creek Trail to the City of Steamboat Springs for biking and hiking. He worked as in intermediary between Bob Adams and the Forest Service to transfer property rights for Fish Creek Falls to guarantee public access.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sister Beth and wives Nancy and Joyce. He is survived by his wife Betty; children Shannon Hurst, Pat (Mary) Gleason and Mike (Barb) Gleason; grandchildren Sara Isley, Mike and Erin Gleason, Julia and Kalen Gleason and three great grandchildren.
In place of donations, please consider following Bob's example and volunteer a few hours for your favorite cause.
The family will be hosting a memorial BBQ on Saturday August 16 at Pat and Mary's house on Amethyst from 1 to 5 pm.
