Bob Kolman

     Bob Kolman was born to Helen and Milek Kolman on July 21, 1932, the eldest of 5 siblings. He spent his youth on a farm three miles south of the town of Cuba in North Central Kansas where he once remarked that it seemed like he spent the majority of his youth on the seat of a Farmall F20 tractor in the fields.

      While in high school, Bob met his wife, Betty, at a town dance in Cuba, he was 17 and she was 14. He graduated from high school in 1950 as part of a small class of nine students. He remained in Cuba for another year and a half farming, working at a Buick garage with his Uncle Bill, and helping his future father-in-law build houses. Bob's commitment to hard work led him to enlist in the Air Force in 1951, where he served for 4 years, specializing in the maintenance of B36 bombers. 

      During his time in the Air Force, Bob married Betty Homolac, and together they welcomed their first child Jim in 1954, into their lives. Following his 4 years in the military, Bob attended college in Indiana, ultimately earning a degree in Electronics Engineering. They also welcomed two more children, Mike in 1956, and Vicky in 1957. The family relocated to Littleton, Colorado in 1958, where Bob embarked on a career with Martin Marietta, as an electronics engineer working on the Titan 2 missile project.
     Bob and Betty bought their first house in 1959, and life seemed to become more established on a permanent basis. However, life was up ended in 1964 when Bob became part of a massive layoff at Martin. The family then moved to Colorado Springs and Bob transitioned to a position with Colorado Springs School District 11, where he worked in the instructional materials center until his retirement in 1987. 

     In 1968, with the help of his father and father-in-law, he built his own home on Old Ranch Road in Colorado Springs. Even after Bob retired, he continued to work on the house, building additions and remodeling projects to keep up with current styles. The final project to Betty and Bob's house was a dedicated woodshop attached to the garage so Bob could work with all the comforts of his home.

    Bob's skills in auto mechanics and construction were invaluable throughout his career, and he generously shared his talents. He not only worked on his vehicles, but also those of friends and co-workers. In retirement, Bob also continued to pursue his passion for woodworking. He remodeled homes, finished the basements, built additions, and crafted beautiful custom cabinets, desks, and furniture pieces for his home and loved ones. He found joy in collaborating with friends like Joe Cuchiaro on carpentry projects and relished the opportunity to create something tangible with his hands. Quite possibly, woodworking may have been his true calling throughout his life. Bob's legacy of craftsmanship and generosity lives on in the hearts and homes of those he touched.  Bob had a warm smile and a kind heart, and his presence brought comfort and joy to those around him. 

     He passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the age of 91.

     Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty; his children Jim, Mike, and Vicky; his grandchildren Jill, Jon, Amy, Joe, and Alicia; and his great-grandchildren Beaux, Sean, and Xandr, two sisters, Pat (George) Bednar of Pueblo, CO, Carol Havel of Hutchinson, KS

     He is preceded in death by his parents Helen and Milek; his sister Betty, and his brother Fred.

     Funeral Service, 10:00AM, Friday, May 10, 2024, St. Patrick Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

      Inurnment, 2:00PM, Friday, May 10, 2024, St. Mary's Cathedral - Columbarium, 22 West Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

      Memorials are suggested to the Bob Kolman Memorial Fund and be sent in care of the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, P.O. Box 326, Belleville, KS  66935 or left at the funeral home.

      Online condolences and information at www.bachelor-surber.com

      Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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