Robert E. "Bob" "Bobby" DeBord, 80, of Sterling, died Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday Aug. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church. Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Bob was born April 25, 1931, in Marysville, Kan. He grew up in Fairbury, Neb., and attended the University of Nebraska. He then served his country in the U.S. Navy. Following his time in the service, Bob moved to Denver where he met his future bride, Teri, in 1955. They were married Aug. 19, 1956, in Great Falls, Mont.
His career started in Denver with Hesteds Department Store. He and his family moved to Sterling in 1965. Bob and Teri then purchased the Coors Distributorship in 1968. DeBord was named boss of the year by the Jaycee's, and in 1970 he started the award winning "cash for cans" recycling program.
DeBord's community service was important in his life. He was a founding member of the Sterling Housing Authority, Honorary Colonel in the Colorado National Guard, a member of the Sterling Elks, Jaycee's, and Chamber of Commerce. He started one of the first area clean up campaigns with Robert McAtee, initiated the Northeastern Co golf tournament and sponsored numerous events and softball teams.
Bob's personal interests were photography, golf, fly fishing and family vacations at Flathhead Lake. He took personal interest in planting trees; his legacy will continue to grow.
Bob was survived by his wife, Teri; children, Beth of Las Vegas, Nev., Kyle and wife Joni, and granddaughters, Taylor, Madison, Cortney and Sydney of Fort Collins; brother, Frank DeBord, and wife Judy and niece Katie and daughter Eliana of Denver; brother-in-law, Marlin Ahl and wife Irene, niece Linda and husband Robert of Denver and nephew Larry and partner David of Portland, Ore. Bob will be greatly missed as well by his faithful dog, Lucky.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kristin; and parents, Charles and Helen.
Memorials may be made to the Kristin and Bob DeBord art scholarship fund or donor's choice.
Paid Obituary Sterling Journal Advocate (findagrave.com)