Robert Stephen Carmack

Robert S. “Steve” Carmack was born March 7, 1943 in Oak Park, Illinois to Robert P. and Janet A. (Wolf) Carmack. Shortly after Steve was born, the family returned home to Indiana, first to his Dad’s hometown of Peru, then Wabash, and finally to Marion where Steve graduated from Marion High School in 1961. Steve was on the football and basketball teams, active in Boy Scouts of America, DeMolay and the Methodist Church. Steve received his Eagle Scout rank. While in high school, Steve worked for Ewing Standard Station and Sears & Roebuck. His passion for cars started in these early years. He would often talk about the family car his Dad traded in on the way to Sunday dinner with the family for a 1951 Chevy Convertible. He purchased his first project car while in high school, a Model A, rented a garage for a few dollars a month and worked on it during his lunch hour.

Growing up, much of Steve’s spare time was spent on his Uncle Howard’s dairy farm in Urbana, Indiana and the family’s lake cottage at Lake Tippecanoe. He enjoyed many happy times with his cousins Liz and Becky and his Grandparents, Lou and Cora Wolf who lived nearby.

After high school, Steve attended Ball State Teacher’s College in Muncie, Indiana where he met Theadora “Teddie” Helms. They were married in June 1963 and settled back in Marion for the first few years of their marriage where Steve worked for his Dad, who was a Standard Oil Jobber, Sears & Roebuck and General Tire. The faithful family dog, Mamie, a Boston Terrier, often rode in the tank truck with him while he made fuel oil deliveries.

Steve received his draft notice in 1966 and instead enlisted in the Air Force. He proudly served during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1971, with assignments at Lowry Air Force Base, Fairchild Air Force Base, and Nakhon Phenom, Thailand. He returned to Lowry Air Force Base where he completed his tour of duty as a munitions instructor. His daughter Heidi Marie was born just before his birthday in March 1971, shortly before his discharge from the Air Force.

The family returned to Indiana in 1971, living in Anderson and Lake Tippecanoe, near the territory where Steve worked as a salesman for Amoco Oil Company. They eventually settled in Elkhart, where Steve and Teddie operated the Parkmoor Standard Station and Steve was a fireman for the Elkhart Fire Department. Together, they enjoyed Steve’s car hobby and were active with a local car club, driving a Model A and Model T on several tours, including Dearborn, Michigan and Kentucky. During this time, Steve also enjoyed his first trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania.

In 1976 an opportunity became available to return to Colorado. Having fallen in love with the state during Steve’s military service, the family jumped on the opportunity to return to Colorado, where Steve and Teddie operated the Broomfield Standard Station and Steve was a fireman for the Castlewood Fire Department. Having finally had time to focus on his favorite hobby in Elkhart, they brought with them a few antique cars and two cocker spaniels. Steve and Teddie became members of the Model A Club of America and later the Hi-Country Early Ford V8 Club. The family enjoyed many wonderful tours with these car clubs in a Model A Roadster, Model A Sedan and Mercury Convertible. Annual trips to the National Western Stock Show each January were also a favorite family event.

In 1982, desiring a slower pace, the family moved to Montrose, Colorado, where Steve and Teddie managed a Baskin Robbins franchise and Amoco Station. Later, Steve also worked for the United States Postal Service, in nearby Delta, as a mail carrier with a 14 mile a day walking route. The family lived on acreage outside town and enjoyed several animals, Steve’s car hobby and visits from many friends and family.

The family returned to the Denver area in 1985, settling near Brighton, Colorado. Steve continued working for the Postal Service as a truck driver and the family operated Modern Body Shop in Boulder, Colorado for several years.

Steve was born to be a car guy! If it had an engine and wheels, he loved it. He enjoyed buying, selling, and restoring antique cars for most of his life for most of his life. Steve was a member of several car clubs including the Model A Club of America, Early Ford V8 Club, Model T Club of America, VMCCA, Denver Timing Association, Rocky Mountain Buick Club, and Mile High Hook & Ladder.

Steve married Donna Willis on April 1, 2012. They resided in Ft. Lupton, Colorado and were members of St. Johns Lutheran Church in nearby Platteville. Together they enjoyed many years of traveling the country to antique car events, special friendships, fellow car enthusiasts and chasing classic cars.

Steve loved animals and enjoyed life with several Cocker Spaniels, a Dalmatian, several cats and a special French Lop rabbit over the years. Steve mourned the loss of his beloved Cocker Spaniel, Jamie, and special cat Henry. He was a true people person who had many wonderful stories to tell that were enjoyed by many. He was kind and generous with a warm smile. Steve will be missed greatly by his family, many wonderful friends, several cats and dog.

Steve is preceded in death by his son, Robert Stanley and brother, Michael.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, daughter Heidi Carmack Cline, her mother, Teddie Carmack, son-in-law Don Cline and grandson, Coty Carmack.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite pet shelter or classic car club/foundation of your choice.