Robert James Osmundson

Robert (Bob) James Osmundson, age 80, passed away after a lengthy illness from dementia and prostate cancer on September 15, 2018. Bob was born September 6, 1938 to Martin and Frances (Postudensek) Osmundson in Lexington, Virginia. At the age of eight, his parents moved the family to Eveleth, Minnesota, where he enjoyed the association with a large number of Postudensek relatives as well as his older two sisters and brother. Bob said his southern manners of saying “Yes, Ma’am” etc., led to lots of teasing and his learning to defend himself. He enjoyed high school swimming and football along with playing trumpet in the band. He also played in the city band with his dad. Upon graduation he attended Eveleth Junior College and again played football until the University of Denver offered him a scholarship at the beginning of his sophomore year. He played with them the last three years they fielded a football team. Bob loved wearing his T-shirt claiming “Undefeated since 1961.” For 8 years during high school and college, he served in the Army Reserves.

Bob hired on as an accountant with Chevron Oil Company in 1961. As a bachelor they sent him to Casper, WY, Vernal, UT, Salt Lake City and Denver. The return to Denver in 1964 allowed him to meet Linda Ward and they married in 1965. They welcomed three sons, Mark, Paul and John. After filling many Chevron positions, he remained regional Public Affairs manager serving in Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, back to Denver, Seattle and finally San Ramon, California until his 1996 retirement when they returned to Fort Collins, CO. His job included governmental affairs and community relations. It offered him the ability to donate to various charities in the Company’s name as well as his own. He sponsored Boys and Girls clubs and became a lifetime member of DECA. He and a partner chaired Denver’s successful “Pay Raise for Mayor” campaign. He served as president of the Southeast Denver Jaycees and chairman of Denver’s Centennial/Bi-centennial committee for the first two years of its three year existence.

In California after donating a drum set to the Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz festival, he decided to check out the festival. He and Linda fell in love with the music and attended many festivals throughout the country. Bob loved his adopted home of Colorado. Each time we drove over the border into Colorado whether visiting or on the return, he belted out “Colorado My Home,” from the Unsinkable Molly Brown movie. On cruises, they danced their way across the waters to 14 destinations throughout America, Europe, the Baltics, South America and South Africa, often with their favorite Dixieland Jazz tour group. Bob was a staunch Republican serving in many local roles and an active member of his church and the Knights of Columbus.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betty Pommon. He is survived by wife, Linda (Ward), three sons, Mark (Kim), Paul (Chris), John (Cathy) and seven grandchildren, a brother and one sister. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Cure PSP or Pathways of Northern Colorado would be appreciated.

A celebration of life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held September 24, 10 am at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 5450 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins, CO.