Robert Eric Seedroff

Bob was a kind and loving soul who bravely fought lymphoma for six years, never complaining and always living every day to its fullest. Even in his final days, Hospice nurses and staff never left the house without remarking on what a “delight” he was and how much they enjoyed spending time with him. On July 3, 2023, he passed away with his beloved wife Kathie by his side. He left the world on his own terms, in his home, not on a holiday, and peacefully in his sleep.

Robert Eric Seedroff was the youngest of three children born to Richard and Lorraine Seedroff on February 14, 1947. Whenever he had to give his birthdate for paperwork or information, he chuckled at how females always commented on his being a “Valentine Baby” while men rarely noticed.

A native Coloradoan, born and raised in Denver, he graduated from George Washington High School in 1965. His high school and college summers were spent employed at the Grand Lake Marina, giving boat tours to tourists. He was an exceptional slalom water skier. He received an associate degree from Trinidad State Junior College and entered military service in 1968 where he spent two years in the Army and one year fighting in Vietnam. After he left the Army, he graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts and a teaching certificate in Industrial Arts.

While at UNC, he met his wife Kathie Gaffield and they married in 1971. They spent 51 years together, referring to each other as best friends and perfect partners, supporting each other and managing a life together by doing what they were individually good at. Bob and Kathie have two children, Heather Lorra Cousineau and Zachary Landon Seedroff. During their growing up years, they enjoyed family road trips from coast to coast; camping, boating, and teaching everyone and anyone water skiing on the weekends in the summer; skiing with Buffalo ski club in the winter, and always family dinners together every night.

The family was especially important to Bob. Helping his widowed mother and aunt for many years was a joy and never a hardship, and always being available to Kathie’s sisters and their husbands, who lovingly referred to him as BIL – Brother-in-law. Whether helping build Lona and Kerry’s house, water skiing in Nebraska with Lori’s family, or finding 4-leaf clovers with Kelli, he always found ways to become a special part of his family’s lives. He kept in contact with his sister Carol in Durango through regular texts and phone calls. He also enjoyed many summer weekends boating with his brother Dick.

Bob started work with Mountain Bell in 1974 and retired after 31 years of service as an HVAC technician and building manager. One of his favorite work projects was being part of the construction of Denver International Airport’s “from the ground up” communication network. As kids, Heather and Zak remember trips out to the new airport, exploring tunnels, and being an insider to the new construction.

Bob was especially excited to welcome his new son-in-law Brian Cousineau to the family and never thought of him as anything less than a son. He loved his grandchildren Gillian Kaden and Kellen Robert and introduced them to his love of the cabin and fishing. He never tired of cheering them on at school plays, Gillie’s violin concerts, taking them to the park, building Legos with Kellen, or playing dolls. He was always ready to give them his full attention and love.

After retirement, Bob and Kathie moved to Grand Junction where they made many new friends, happily investigated wine-tasting and food truck opportunities, and socialized with the Wheels West Car Club. Bob especially loved the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, helping Kathie make Palisade peach jam each year and exploring the Western Slope. Traveling with Kathie was one of the highlights of his retirement years. He loved his yearly trips to Hawaii, a cruise through the Panama Canal with his daughter’s family, trips to NHRA races across the country to visit his son, as well as many other trips around the world. Bob was especially proud of his Swedish heritage; his two trips to Sweden were his favorite of all his travels.

Bob didn’t sit still well, always looking for a project, puttering around his house, and loving the opportunity to take something apart and put it back together in better working order. Kathie, Heather, and Zak described him as “engu-ine” – a genius with ingenuity who could fix anything. He thoroughly enjoyed building and repairing his cars and those of friends and family. He had a gift and talent for working with his hands that he passed on to Zak.

Summers were spent at the cabin in Granby, fishing with family, celebrating the 4th of July with the parade and fireworks, and celebrating Gillian’s birthday. A decline in health prevented his annual Granby trip this year for the first time in over 30 years. He loved to be a host, always wanting to care for everyone else, offering the shirt off his back to friends in need, and going out of his way to help with a repair, advice, or task that needed to be done. Bob was stubborn at times and had a particular way he wanted things done, but he always finished what he started with heart and a wonderful sense of humor.

Bob loved chocolate and caramel, Forrest Gump, Red Vines and Wallaby black licorice, Marshall Dillon and Gunsmoke, playing with the games and apps on his phone, old cars and trucks, Sudoku, the Denver Broncos, his jet ski boat, a cold beer, the color blue, Kathie’s spaghetti sauce with tortellini, and Hawaii.

He will be remembered for all the love he shared with his family and friends. His smile and laugh lit up a room and will forever be a hole in our hearts. Until we meet again.

We are extremely grateful to his Hope West Hospice caregivers for the loving care they provided him any time, day or night.