Robert Martell

Robert "Bob" Martell passed away peacefully Feb. 28, 2008, after a 10-year struggle with heart and lung disease. He was born in Green Bay, Wis., the only son of Ida and Edward Martell. Bob had four sisters, including Grace and triplet sisters Faith, Hope and Charity. Bob graduated from high school in Green Bay, where he was a star athlete in baseball, basketball, football and track. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. In 1942, Bob married Doris Barden. Bob and Doris and their son, Rick, moved to Fort Collins in 1956 to operate the A & W Drive-In on South College Avenue. When the A & W closed its doors, Bob opened Rob's Drive In, located in City Park, where it has been rumored he served the best corn dogs in town. Doris passed away in 1988 after 46 years of marriage. Bob married Diane Nelson in 1992. In between traveling and our annual trips to Cripple Creek, we spent the next few years trying to teach each other about our interests. In the summer, I tried to teach him about gardening and he tried to teach me about baseball; in the fall, I tried to teach him about relaxing and reading a book; he tried to teach me about football; and in the winter, I tried to interest him in movies, and he tried to peak my interest in March Madness. We did enjoy bowling together for several years. Bob retired from Larimer County in 1996 after 20 years. He first worked at Larimer County Employment and Training and then became the Larimer County purchasing agent. Bob was a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan, having been a water boy for the team during his high school years. Bob also cheered for the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves. Bob had a passion for planes, trains and automobiles, the faster the better. Bob was a longtime member of the Fort Collins Men's Bowling Association. He was forced to quit bowling after cancer surgery in 1998. Bob will be remembered for his humor, his love of sports, his ability to avoid conflict, at all cost, and his flair for the fancy sport coats and matching shoes that he wore. Bob was a charismatic guy with a zest and love of life. To Bob's special women, and you know who you are, there was always a place for you in his life. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Hope and Charity; and his faithful companion Tuffy. Bob will be remembered by his wife, Diane; his son, Rick and wife, Anna of Boulder City, Nev.; his sisters, Grace of Fon Du Lac, Wis., and Faith of Phoenix Ariz.; stepdaughter, Shelley Emerson, Todd; and granddaughters, Kabri and Rashae of Butte, Mont.; stepson, Brent Steigelman Robyn of Greeley; sister-in-law, Denise Morgan, Crawford and children, Callie and Cameron; and mother-in-law, Darlene Nelson. He will be missed by special friends Cathy Mulcahy, Vince and Carol Dechand, and godson Tom Dechand. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. If you wish, please wear your green and gold Packer colors to remember Bob. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bob Martell Sports Scholarship fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .