Robert Rundell
Marriages
Roberta (Bert) Rundell
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot & Today - March 29, 2024
August 4, 1946 – March 18, 2024
Robert Lloyd Rundell passed peacefully in the care of hospice at home with his wife and daughter, Cindy, by his side. Bob struggled with Alzheimer’s and had significant decline cognitively the past couple months. Bob was born August 4, 1946 in Butte, Montana to Leona Gibson Rundell and Robert N Rundell, and spent his childhood there along with his older sister Nancy. He graduated from Butte high school in 1964 and went on to graduate from Montana University, Dillon, MT, in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. He received his Master of Education at Central Washington State College in 1975. He began his teaching career in Moses Lake Washington and in 1974 moved to Deer Park Washington where he was Principal of the Elementary school for 23 years.
He loved being a principal, working with children, and was a positive influence in many lives. In 1987, he and his wife Bert wrote and published a school curriculum, Kids Care, focused on building safe environments within school settings. He pursued consulting and trainings around this issue with other school districts. After retiring in 1998, Bob and his wife moved to Steamboat Springs, CO, where, with his wife and stepson, Dustin, he built and owned the Grease Monkey/Big O complex at the west end of town. Bob loved living in Steamboat where he enjoyed skiing and biking.
Everyone who skied with him knew there would be chocolate twizzles in his pocket for treats on the chair lift. He was very involved in the Steamboat community and in Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church. In January 2022, Bob and Bert left Steamboat for Wind Crest in Highlands Ranch, where there was support and programs to help Bob live a productive life with Alzheimer’s. His last two years were challenging but he participated in great programs that gave him a full happy life. He loved his grandchildren and everyone knew there was always ice cream in the freezer to share with them.
Bob always had a passion for animals and his goal at Wind Crest was to pet every dog. You would see him often on his knees with a dog, being the loving gentle soul he was. Bob was preceded in life by his stepson Dustin Dahlin and his sister Nancy Geschke. He will be greatly missed by his wife Roberta (Bert) Rundell, his Steamboat family, Terry Maddison, Michelle House, Kori Dahlin Shafer, Wyatt Harding (Savanah), his grandson, Morgin Harding, granddaughter, Harley, Dani, William, Great grandchildren, Kenny Ferrier, Wyntir Long, Jesse Ferrier, grandson, and his many friends at Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church.
He will also be greatly missed by his Spokane Washington family, daughters, Cindy Daffern, Cathy Reynolds (Josh), Julie Gallagher (Charles) grandchildren Justin Daffern, Jace Daffern, Amelie Reynolds, Asher Reynolds, Sean Gallagher, Daric Sage (Kristi) and Jensen and Parker Sage, great grandchildren.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held May 30, 2024 at the Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Bob’s name to Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church or to Routt County Humane Society.
