Robert James Mitchell

Robert J. Mitchell (Bob), previously of Greeley, Colorado, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025, in Redding, California, where he lived the past four years with family nearby. He was 102 years old and we were lucky to have had so much time with him.

Bob Mitchell was born March 11, 1923, to Harvey J. and Laura (Selvy) Mitchell in Elm Creek, Nebraska. He graduated from high school in O’Neill, Nebraska and attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa for two years before enlisting in the Navy to serve his country during World War II. He attended V-12 school at St. Ambrose College in Davenport Iowa, midshipmen school at Plattsburg, NY, and served as an officer aboard the U.S.S. Laurens in the Pacific from 1944 to 1946.

He then attended Colorado State University and received his BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1949. It was there that Bob met Patricia Greathouse from Durango, Colorado, and they were married on June 20, 1948. Their marriage lasted a wonderful 63 plus years. They had two children, Douglas James and Marsha Jo Mitchell.

Bob worked as an Engineer Appraiser for the Federal Land Bank of Wichita for nine years, living in Monte Vista, Denver, and Wichita before moving to Greeley in 1958, where he became an independent appraiser associated with Welsh and Associates. Bob received the MAI (Member of Appraisal Institute) designation in 1963 and established his own appraisal firm in 1968. He served as the president of the Greeley Board of Realtors in 1962 and was presented the Thomas M. Welsh Realtor of the Year Award in 1970. Bob served as the president of the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers in 1968 and received the Van Holt Garrett Appraiser of the Year Award in 1972. Bob taught farm and ranch courses at eight different colleges and universities throughout the United States. After a successful career, he retired in 1998 at the age of 75.

Bob was very active in the Greeley community as a member of the First Congregational Church of Greeley, serving as both a deacon and a trustee; and as a director for the Greeley Rotary Club, the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce, West Greeley National Bank, and the Greeley Country Club.

Bob loved music, sports (especially the CSU Rams, the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, and the Denver Nuggets) and the outdoors. He spent special time with his family every summer at a fishing club and ranch in Wyoming. He enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, golf, and his lifetime work of inspecting and appraising farms and ranches throughout Colorado and neighboring states.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Pat (in 2012) and son Doug (in 2017). He is survived by a brother Earl ( and wife Marilyn), daughter Marsha (and son-in-law Bary) Caranci, two grandchildren, Lindsey (and husband Casey) Kraft, and Michael (and wife Kerry) Caranci, and three great grandchildren, Mitchell Caranci and Paisley and Anika Kraft.

Affectionately known by loved ones as Bob, Dad, Uncle Bob, Grandpa, and Papa Mitch, he will be missed by his loving family and many friends in both Colorado and California. He was a caring person who made friends easily.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, July 30, at 11:00 am at Allnutt Funeral Home – Macy Chapel, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, followed by a reception. Private interment will be at the First Congregational Church Memorial Garden. Arrangements are being handled by Allnutt Funeral Service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Greeley Rotary Club.