Robert "Bob" Sorensen

Bob grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the eldest of two sons born to Kai and Alice Sorensen, who nurtured the character and integrity he demonstrated at an early age and throughout his lifetime. As a boy and young man he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and later he mentored other young men as a Scout Leader at First Christian Church in Boulder. Bob enrolled at Purdue University, where he joined ROTC, was recognized as a Distinguished Military Student, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation in 1951, he moved to Denver and worked at Rocky Flats.

He also met the love of his life, Phyllis Wright, and they were married March 22, 1953. Shortly after he was drafted (for the Korean War), so they packed everything into their car and drove to Ft. Mead, Maryland.

When their service in the Army was completed, Bob and Phyllis returned to Boulder. Bob renewed his career with Dow Chemical, and they started a family, being blessed with two daughters, Julie and Debbie. Bob's hard work at Rocky Flats led to leadership responsibilities when Dow opened a specialty machining plant serving the aircraft construction industry. The plant closed in 1970 and Bob and Phyllis moved to Dow's headquarters in Midland, Michigan, where he oversaw the construction of numerous facilities. When Bob retired, he and Phyllis moved back to Colorado and built a home in Louisville, Colorado, on Harper Lake.

Bob and Phyllis spent their retirement traveling, hiking, dancing, entertaining friends, and blessing their daughters and grandchildren. After Phyllis died in 2002 there was a big hole in Bob's heart, yet he continued to travel worldwide. His trips included New Zealand and Australia, Thailand and Vietnam, Turkey, Route of the Maya, Egypt and Jordan, Antarctica, Peru, China, Morocco, Safari Serengeti, Tanzania and Costa Rica. Bob was an excellent photographer and loved to entertain his family and friends with slide shows of his travels. His library of slides eventually grew to more than 10,000.

As he approached his final days, Bob said, "I have been to every continent, over 54 countries, and every state in America . . . I don't need to do anything else!" He moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, to be close to family and get help when he needed it. Bob took his last big adventure when the Lord shined His face on him with the most beautiful sunset and said "Welcome home, son!"

Bob is survived by his daughter, Julie (Eric) Schweinsberg of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Debbie (Jim) Lewis of Maumelle, AR; brother, Don (Gay) Sorensen of Port Charlotte, FL; eleven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren (and two more on the way!).

No Services Will Be Held