Robert Lee Benoit

Robert Lee “Bob” Benoit, 96, of Fort Collins, passed away Friday, July 31, 2026. Born October 30, 1929, in Clyde, Kansas, he was the eldest son of the late Eddie Henry Benoit and Emma Moxter Benoit. Bob attended public school through the fifth grade, transferring to St. Rose Catholic School in Great Bend, Kansas, for the next three years, becoming Valedictorian of his class. He graduated from Great Bend High School in 1947 and attended Creighton University for a year before transferring to Fort Hays Kansas State College. It was there he met Norma Jean Basgall. They married in 1951.

During the Korean War, Bob enlisted in the Air Force, serving at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Over the years, Bob’s family grew with the addition of five children. When Bob’s military duty ended in 1955, he finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Fort Hays State, followed by a job at Boeing in Wichita.

In 1961, the family moved to Littleton, Colorado, where he worked for Martin Company, (Martin-Marietta) on the Titan II program.

Bob remained with Martin for ten years, when he joined Climax Molybdenum Co. in Golden, Colorado, as a buyer. He enjoyed the work and was well respected. Several years later, he accepted a promising opportunity with AMAX Coal Company in Gillette, Wyoming—still in purchasing. He lived in the town of Moorcroft and began driving a 36-mile commute at least five days a week. Bob and Norma had separated and divorced.

Bob married Karen Shafer in 1977, adopting her son when he was 10 years old. They lived in Gillette, Wyoming, where Bob later retired from AMAX and was hired by the City of Gillette as a Purchasing Agent to set up a new system for Materials Management, which he completed.

Some of Bob’s favorite things included model airplanes/cars, air/car shows, the Denver Broncos, Clive Cussler books and car museum, and good restaurants (The South, the Olive Garden, and Culver’s). He enjoyed traveling, whether in the U.S. or overseas. He and Karen (sometimes Steven) had two tours of Europe, a dream trip to New Zealand, two trips to Canada, many trips to California, Arizona, and Kansas and to see family, and frequent shorter trips. He treasured times with family and friends.

As time went on, Bob’s health declined, mainly due to falls. He and Karen moved into an Assisted Living facility where Bob recently was placed in hospice care. He passed away the morning of July 31, 2026, at the age of 96.

Bob is survived by his wife, Karen, sons Stephen (Marcy), Mark, Chris, and Steven (Paula), daughters-in-law Paula Brobst, Marcy Benoit, and Vivienne Benoit, grandchildren Sunshine Sharene Benoit, Stephen Robert Benoit (Armando), Daniel Lee Benoit (Jenalyn), Rosalie Bae (Aaron Klostermeyer), Stephanie Michelle Roach, Jennifer Benoit Pearson, Robert Donald Benoit, Robert Brobst Pennington, and two great-grandchildren, Julianna and Alexander Benoit.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish Church, 5450 S Lemay Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525, on August 25, 2026, at 10:00 am.

A Reception will follow at Allnutt Funeral Service – Drake Road Chapel, 650 W. Drake Rd., Ft. Collins, Colorado 80526, at 11:30 am, where we will be sharing pictures, videos, and fellowshipping.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bristol Hospice whom took wonderful care of Bob and his family.