Robert Lee Lowenberg

December 28, 1944 ~ June 3, 2016

Robert Lee Lowenberg was born in Des Moines, Iowa on December 28, 1944. His parents were Frances (Lounsberry) Lowenberg and Lee Lowenberg. Bob has one younger sister, Linda, and a brother-in-law, Ernie, who live in Alamosa, CO.

Throughout his early childhood, Bob lived with his family in Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado.

Bob attended Dolores County High School in Dove Creek, CO. In high school, Bob was involved with many extracurricular activities and competed in football and basketball. He graduated in 1962.

Bob attended Adams State College in Alamosa, CO, and in 1966, he earned a B.A. in Education and History with a minor in German. He earned a Masters degree in Secondary Education and European History from the University of New Mexico in 1968. In addition to being a diligent college student, he also worked as a Dorm Director at both universities. During this busy time, Bob also added two of his most cherished roles: husband and father.

Bob married Cherie Rants in 1966 in Granby, CO. They had known each other since junior high where Bob’s father was the principal in Granby. After his family moved to Dove Creek, Bob and his family would return to Granby during the summers where they still owned a cabin. Bob worked as a dock hand (furthering his love of and expertise in boating and waterskiing!) and in construction. 50 years later, Bob and his family were still enjoying the cabin on Lake Granby. Countless magical memories have been made there throughout the generations.

On September 12, 1966, Bob and Cherie welcomed their first daughter, Stacey, who was born in Alamosa, CO. They then moved to Albuquerque for Bob to pursue his Masters degree at UNM.

In 1968, Bob was offered his first teaching job in Castle Rock. This profession would become his passion and one that he would continue for 30 years. The community of Castle Rock and Douglas County High School became his home. He happily put down long-lasting roots here after moving more than he would have liked as a child.

On February 22, 1970, Bob and Cherie welcomed their second daughter, Polly, who was born in Englewood, CO.

In addition to being a teacher, Bob was also a football coach. He so enjoyed the game itself and loved teaching young athletes.

While teaching social studies at DCHS, Bob developed a dynamic teaching style while educating high school students about European History. Two of his most popular and fascinating classes were “Living With Dying” and “Nazi Germany.” These classes riveted the minds of students throughout his years of teaching and impacted how they viewed history. Many students have testified that his classes made “history come alive.” For countless students, Bob created historical awareness and fostered a sensitivity to the distinctive qualities of their own community.

In 1980, Bob wrote a book titled Castle Rock: A Grass Roots History. This book was a labor of love and a family affair. This book also featured the papers researched from primary records by his seminar students at DCHS. Bob and this select group of students researched tirelessly, and even Bob’s young daughters got the opportunity to learn some research tools during this exciting time.

Bob also was one of the main contract negotiators for the teacher’s union and played an important role in representing his profession within the District.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, Bob began practicing Tae Kwon Do at Omega Karate in Castle Rock and eventually became a Second Degree Blackbelt and skilled martial arts instructor.

Bob was also the owner of a sizeable farm located in Nevada, Iowa. This property was something that was passed to him from his grandfather, H.C. Lounsberry, and his mother, Frances Lowenberg. Bob had a passion for this land as he believed strongly in its agricultural contribution to our country and its important multi-generational heritage. Some of his most treasured memories came from being on this farm as well as his Uncle Bob’s and Aunt Mick’s across the road.

Bob retired from Douglas County High School in 1998. He and Cherie moved to Laramie, WY in 2000 where Bob was employed as a furniture carpenter and a Wyoming Tourism Guide at the Summit outside of Laramie.

Bob and Cherie divorced in 2003, but a friendly connection remained. They were instrumental in each other’s lives for over six decades.

In 2003, Bob and Cherie suffered a devastating loss when their daughter, Stacey, suddenly became very ill with severe pancreatitis. Stacey passed away on August 12, 2003. Stacey left behind her husband, Robert, and her three children, Aaron, Lauren and Ava.

Bob continued to live in Laramie until 2013 when he moved back to Castle Rock. He wanted to be closer to his daughter, Polly, son-in-law, Joe, and their three daughters, Jameson, Riley and Adison as well as Robert, Alison (Robert’s wife), Aaron, Lauren and Ava.

Bob enjoyed becoming reacquainted with old friends and colleagues and delighted in making new acquaintances as well. He served as a Board Member of the Castle Rock Historic Preservation Board and continued educating young minds about the history of their town.

On May 31, 2016, Bob suffered a head injury from a fall at his home. He was rushed to the hospital on June 2nd. He survived brain surgery to relieve the compression that the bleeding on his brain had caused; however, the damage was too extensive and catastrophic. Bob was surrounded by his family when he passed away on June 3, 2016.

Since the news of Bob’s death broke, there has been a tremendous outpouring of love, concern and caring for Bob and his family. The family would like to recognize Bob’s friends, neighbors, colleagues and all those who have prayed for Bob and expressed their support to Polly and her family members.

Bob was cherished by his family and so many others, and he had many roles in this life. He was a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, a son, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin, a friend, a carpenter, an artist, a singer, a farmer, an animal lover, a historian, a skilled outdoorsman, an author, a photographer, a mechanic, a botanist, an inventor, a collector and a master teacher. Above all else, his devotion to his children, grandchildren, family and friends was paramount.

We sincerely thank you for joining us to celebrate Bob’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Castle Rock Historical Society or Douglas Land Conservancy both can be accessed through coloradogives.org