Robert Benedikt Kolbe

1/15/1924 - 1/3/2017

Robert (Bob) Benedikt Kolbe , 92 just 12 days short of his 93rd birthday passed peacefully with his family around him in Castle Rock Co at Brookside Nursing Home. He was born in Farnhamville, Iowa to Joseph Benedikt Kolbe who came from Riokinitz, Bohemia in 1907 through Statten Island, New York when he was 14 years old with his brother Richard and married Luella Agatha Kruse Kolbe. Bob married the love of his life, Carolyn (Cary) Lily Berner Kolbe, January 9, 1945, wife of 68 years, who preceded him in death September 8, 2013.

Bob started his journey in Iowa, farming with his family, graduating from Lohriville High School in Iowa and 1 year at Drake University. Joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, flew Pt-17s, AT-6's & B-25's as a flight officer. After serving his time he left the Corps in 1945 worked for Illinois Central Railroad in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as a depot agent for 12 years and met Cary in the same business. They moved their 5 girls to Castle Rock in 1961, loved the small town and never left. Castle Rock's population was 1,000 and Douglas County, 3000 residents. From 1964-1982 Kolbe Construction built custom homes, schools and commercial buildings throughout the county and Metro Denver. Bob was known for having a large and in charge personality and his quality workmanship using his love of finish carpentry to provide for his family. Bob & Howard Colling owned Douglas County Redimix from 1973-1977. In 1977 he purchased a small paint machine that painted stripes on parking lots, named it Kolbe Striping that turned into a very successful business with 40 full time employees. His daughter and son-in-law, Roxy and Paul Geerdes purchased the business from Bob in 1990 who continue to run the business today. The Colorado Contractors Association honored him with the Colorado Construction Pioneer Award in 2001.

He was dedicated to the communities he lived in, Commander American Legion, Rock Rapids, Iowa, 1952, Church council, American Lutheran Church, Rockwell City, Iowa, 1954 and Mt. Zion Lutheran church. He joined the church in 1961 and was a member until his passing. When Castle Rock had very few citizens he joined Volunteer Fire Department in 1965 - 1983. Was an original member in 1969 of the Perry Park Country Club until 2000, Charter member of the Castle Rock Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1981, Castle Rock Lions Club, Littleton, Elks Club, was elected to serve on Castle Rock Town Council in 1969 with 114 votes and served for multiple years. He enjoyed helping in community projects and volunteered to help build the community swimming pool on Gilbert St. In 1981 was the lead contractor for the Castle Rock Centennial 100 Year celebration that built and framed a replica of the original historic buildings on 300 block of Wilcox street. To create the illusion of buildings they framed each building, stapled large pieces of card board to create walls with community volunteers painting the card board to look exactly like the buildings and businesses in 1881. The structure was placed on Wilcox street in front of the existing buildings complete with board walks, horse hitching posts and dirt hauled in to replicate the old street. While very committed to his community Bob loved golf and enjoyed the game every day possible in his retirement years at their 2nd home in Green Valley, Arizona for 25 years.

Also preceding him in death, 2 brothers, Arthur (Bud) Richard Kolbe, Eugene Lewis Kolbe, 2 son-in-laws, Kenneth (Kenny) Zimmerman, Phil Englen and Khalid Al-Sadun, granddaughter Elizabeth Dillman's husband. Bob is survived by his sister, Anna Mae Walker, 94 of Bath, New York, 5 daughters, Lizbeth Jean Zimmerman, Castle Rock, CO. Judith (Judy) Ann Crenshaw (Joe), Castle Rock, CO, Lynn Evelyn Englen, Warwick, MA, Roxanne (Roxy) Luella Geerdes (Paul), Franktown, CO and Susan Bobby Reimann (Jerry), Aurora, CO. He is al survived by 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Bob's greatest treasures were his wife Cary and his 5 daughters whom he watched grow into loving strong women with children and grand children he dearly loved.

Services will be January 20, 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 750 Cantril St., Castle Rock, CO. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Bell Tower Fund.