Robert P. Bixler, Sr.

Robert "Bob" Preston Bixler, Sr. passed away on December 28, 2010. He lived a long and wonderful life of 89 years. Bob was born in Oklahoma City on March 19, 1921. After growing up in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma, he attended the University of Oklahoma earning a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Upon graduation, he served in the US Army during World War II. As an artillery Captain with the Fifth Army, he led his men through North Africa and into the invasion of Italy. Bob was a gentleman of the old school and a true defender of freedom. Following his military service, Bob spent his petroleum engineering career with the J. M. Huber Corporation. As superintendent of drilling and production, Bob lived in Kansas, Wyoming, the Texas panhandle, Houston and Denver. After retirement in 1977, he continued to do consulting work. Bob is survived by two sons, Robert P. Bixler, Jr. and wife, Colleen Shannon of St. Francis, KS; James R. Bixler and wife, Martha C. Bixler of Austin, TX; grandchildren, William R. Bixler of Denver, CO and Natalie J. Bixler of Boulder, CO. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Harkrader Bixler and their daughter, Rebecca Becky Bixler. His present wife, M. June Bixler, still resides in Fort Collins. His love of the mountains brought him to Colorado. As an avid outdoorsman his interests included fishing, hunting, camping, and golf. Bob spent most of the summers at his cabin in Pagosa Springs, CO where he deemed that area of the state as "God's Country". On most days, Bob loved to pack a lunch and head to the mountains. There he would admire the beauty of the peaks before him and if he wasn't fishing he would take an occasional nap in the sun. As his love of the land, his love of animals was always present. For most of his life, he owned at least one horse and there was always a dog by his side. A committed follower of Jesus Christ, a loving family man, and a hardworking businessman, Bob Bixler lived out his faith day-by-day in quiet determination to finish the race well. Never did he question his faith. He loved helping others and always put the needs of others before himself. Bob was a man deeply committed to life and bettering the world. The world will never have enough people as openhearted and faithful as he was. A memorial service and reception will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church, 531 South College Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado. Interment with a short service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in the Memorial Garden at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 South Colorado Boulevard, Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, you may honor his memory by making a donation to the Larimer County Humane Society in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

Tributes

Robert P. Bixler, Sr.

March 19, 1921 - December 28, 2010