Robert G. "Bob" Kretschman
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5C - September 19, 2021
Robert G.
Kretschman
January 25, 1935 - September 11, 2021
Robert G. Kretschman,
86, of Grand Junction,
passed away the evening of
September 11, 2021, at the
HopeWest Care Center.
Before cancer took him,
Bob enjoyed a rich life of
friends, family, and good times. He liked good stories
and welcomed opportunities to share his dry, unique
sense of humor.
Bob was born in Montrose, CO, on January 25, 1935,
to Edward and Elizabeth Kretschman. He attended
Oak Grove School and graduated from Montrose High
School in 1953. He loved cars and worked as an auto
mechanic at a service station in Montrose.
He met a pretty girl from Ouray, Betty Connors, and
was smitten. During their courtship, Bob would drive
to Ouray, park at “the gap” above town, and shine his
car’s police-grade spotlight down through the kitchen
window of the Connors family home, annoying his
future mother-in-law and making it difficult for Betty to
go out for the evening. The relationship persevered, and
Bob and Betty married in 1956 (and Bob turned out to
be a darn good son-in-law).
Not long after their marriage, Bob was drafted into the
U.S. Army and ultimately was stationed in Germany,
where he served as a tank mechanic and was recognized
for his range prowess with a submachine gun.
Bob worked as a hydrologist for the U.S. Geological
Survey Water Resources Division in Grand Junction.
In that role, he traveled throughout western Colorado,
measuring and tracking stream flows in rivers and
creeks of all sizes. A highlight of his USGS career
occurred May 27, 1984, when he made the highest flow
measurement ever recorded on the flooding Colorado
River at the Utah state line (69,800 cfs).
After retiring from the USGS, Bob took on a second
career as a teller for Coloramo and Grand Junction
federal credit unions. His public contact in those jobs
earned him many friends, and he was always ready with
a beaming smile and a wry joke.
Family and friends were the center of Bob’s life. He
coached baseball teams for both his sons at Monument
Little League, often making a special effort to return
from work trips for just one night in order to be there
for games. He always attended and thoroughly enjoyed
school programs, events, and sports, in which his
children and grandchildren participated. At age 78, he
accompanied his young granddaughter to a Taylor Swift
concert at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Bob loved the outdoors, from the gardens he grew in
his yard to the picnics and hunting trips he took to the
western Colorado mountains. His knowledge of fishing
knew no bounds, and he and his family spent countless
days on the lakes of Grand Mesa.
Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty; sons,
Robert J. and Brian (Shawna) Kretschman, of Grand
Junction; grandchildren, John and Jenna Kretschman,
of Grand Junction, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lydia
Snyder, Amelia Burch, infant Emily Kretschman, Marie
Seevers, Minnie Bailey, Hilda Hughes, Lorraine Fedel,
Lorrene Kretschman, and Joyce Elliott, and brothers,
Edward Kretschman Jr. and John Kretschman.
An outdoor graveside remembrance is scheduled for
10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 22, at the Orchard
Mesa Cemetery in Grand Junction. Because Bob loved
stories, those who attend are asked to share a special
memory or story about Bob if they so desire.
Memorial contributions may be made to Roice-Hurst
Humane Society, P.O. Box 4040, Grand Junction, CO
81502.
In Memoriam
Capper
Dwane Hill
July 18, 1937 - September 21, 2020
Until we meet again,
you are always
in our hearts.
Love and miss
you forever.
From all your family.
Lyndell
Bruce Ward
September 19, 1957 - August 5, 2020
When the Lord calls
our loved ones home, he
leaves a gift of memories
in exchange. You were a
special part of a well lived
life.
Happy Birthday
Love,
Your Children, Katie, McKenzie, and Austin,
Darla, Lisa, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren
Ruby
Beard-Wells
August 9, 1933 - November 24, 2020
Graveside service on
September 23, 2021, at
New Elmwood Cemetery
Pavilion, 1175 17 /14 Rd,
Fruita, CO at 3:00 p.m.
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