Robert "Bob" Funk

Robert (Bob) Funk passed peacefully, after an incredibly long and arduous 30-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Anne, children Christopher and Susan, grandchildren Alex, Lilly, and Zoe, and sister Mary Thuma. Anne and Bob met during the 1967 blizzard and soon after knew they belonged together. In the early years of their marriage, before the children, Bob loved to entertain friends and even built a tiki bar in the basement when they bought their home. He was an adventurer, explorer, avid hiker, and outdoor enthusiast. As leader of an Explorer Troop (an extension of the Boy Scouts), he, Chris, and the troop had many adventures, including a week sailing in Key West, white-water rafting on the Colorado River, and hiking from the top of the Grand Canyon down to Phantom Ranch and back. An amazing landscape designer and gardener, he spent hours working in the yard, tinkering around the house, and playing fix-it king. Bob read voraciously and particularly loved books set in his favorite vacation place, the American Southwest. Susan noted that he challenged her to exceed expectations in academics and was a constant source of praise and encouragement. Bob was pleased to know that both of his children met and married wonderful spouses and was always proud of Christopher as a “family man,” which was high praise coming from Bob. We will miss his wry and witty sense of humor, limitless energy (a favorite phrase of his was “quit burning daylight”), and especially his vigor and vitality.