Robert James Core

Robert James Core was born February 16, 1947 in Denver, Colorado. He passed away this year, 2021, just days after his 74th birthday. Robert was the only child of Ann Snitzen Core and Frank Core both of whom preceded him in death-Ann in 1997 and Frank in 2001.

Robert was an Air Force “Brat” who lived all over the world. He often remarked that he never lived in one place long enough to make lasting friends. He never went to the same elementary or mid schools for 2 years. When Robert was in High School, his family moved to Tampa, Florida. They stayed in Tampa long enough for Robert to graduate High School. He then received a B.A. in Business from Florida State in 1969. He loved watching the Seminoles from Florida State play football. Robert later received an M.S. in Human Genetics and Biology from New Mexico State in Las Cruces, NM in 1993 and went on to study plant genetics for his Ph.D.

Over the years Robert held many jobs. He was a business man who owned his own company, a professional athlete, an employee of NASA who built gyroscopes for outer space, an author, and most recently a Biology instructor at El Paso Community College. This was his favorite job held from 1994 to 2001 when he retired. The only reason he retired and left this job was to care for his ailing father. He loved El Paso in part because it is a family town.

IN 1989, Robert married Karen Hemingway. They married twice and divorced twice. The last marriage ended in 2008. But they continued to love one another and stayed in touch until Robert’s death. It was a roller coaster love story for 36 years!

When Robert was healthy he loved participating in triathlons. He would swim, bike and run in the same event. He would always be the winner or runner-up in his age bracket. Running, teaching and writing were Robert’s passions. He most regretted in the last weeks of his life that was too weak to run.

Now that Robert is in heaven with Jesus, he is healthy with no pain. And you can be assured that he is running on golden paths!

Thank you Pastor James for honoring this brilliant man’s memory with this service and for sprinkling ¾ of Robert’s ashes in the Franklin Mountains, where he loved to run. Thank you for also sending the remaining ashes to Karen. She is so grateful.

I’d like to close by reading Matthew 11:28:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.”

Written by Karen Core, Rest in Peace my Forever Love.