Robert Joseph Budden

Robert J. Budden, of Thornton, Colorado, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2023, at the age of 97. To honor Bob’s life, funeral services will be held August 24, 2023, starting at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11385 Grant Dr. Northglenn, CO 80233 with a Rosary Service and Eulogy, followed by Mass at 10:30 AM.  Bob will receive military honors at 12:30 PM at Fort Logan Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenton Ave, Denver, CO 80236.

Robert, fondly known as Grandpa, Dad, Bob, was born to John E. and Helen Weis Budden on May 24, 1926, in Dubuque, Iowa.  Bob was the second of 5 children with older brother John and younger siblings Rosanne, William, and Mary Elizabeth.  Bob grew up in Illinois, attending school in Menominee, Galena, and East Dubuque, Illinois, where he graduated High School in 1944 as the class Valedictorian, while earning an award for Athletics.

Bob is survived by his wife Jeanne and 5 children: Mike (Joni), John (Debbie), Joe (Linda), Chris (Sarah), and AJ, 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Ney and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force Reserve in 1943, served in Active Duty during WW-II from 1944 thru 1945 in Texas, Alabama, and Illinois as a Physical Training Instructor, and again as a reservist from 1945 until 1948 when he was Honorably Discharged.  Following his service, Bob attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, for 3 years, later earning his college degree in Economics at Youngstown University in Youngstown, Ohio in 1967.

Bob met his life-long partner, Alyce Jeanne Woods, in 1949. They were eventually married on October 11, 1952, in Dubuque, Iowa.  After early jobs selling cigars, tobacco, and working at Wm. C. Brown Publishing, Bob was hired in 1952 by Sinclair Refining Co. loading petroleum barges on the Mississippi River and helping to maintain the Dubuque petroleum terminal.   Bob worked in the Petroleum industry at various terminals throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Georgia, and New Jersey until 1974, rising to Regional Superintendent, with responsibility over 35 terminals (owned by British Petroleum).  Bob then returned to Dubuque with his family, taking a position at John Deere & Co. as a General Manager until 1984, when he officially retired at age 58.

Bob was a devoted servant to the Catholic Church his entire life, volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister and Reader until age 91.  He was dedicated to praying the Rosary, and was a student of the Bible, helping in his preparation for mass every Sunday. 

Bob spent his near 40 years of retirement living in Iowa, Arizona, and Colorado; traveling the world with Jeanne, playing senior softball until age 80 and golfing until age 90.  Bob was an athlete his entire life, from playing baseball and basketball in his youth (known as the East Dubuque Flash), league bowling, softball, and golf (including a hole-in-one), to winning medals as a Senior Olympian and his 20 years playing Senior Softball, winning 9 National Championships. 

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your favorite charity in his memory.