Robert "Bob" Edward Fink Jr.

Grace Fink passed away on Sunday January 26, 2025. The last words Bob Fink said to his beloved wife of almost 67 years were “I love you and I’ll see you when it’s my time.”

On Sunday April 26, it was Bob’s time to be reunited with Grace. Bob’s last few weeks were spent with in-person and virtual visits from his extensive family, affectionately referred to as “The Fink Nation,” consisting of five children, twelve grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives.

The Fink Nation effectively started on Nov 27, 1936 in Cincinnati Ohio when Robert Edward Fink Jr. was born to Hildegarde [Wolf] Fink and Robert Edward Fink Sr. The eldest of three sons, Bob helped raise his younger brothers Jack and Jim. Growing up in Albuquerque New Mexico, Bob attended Albuquerque High School and the University of New Mexico (UNM), where he was a 4-year starter as second basemen for the UNM Lobos baseball team. The pinnacle of Bob’s collegiate career was in 1957 when he was the Skyline League batting champion.

Although Bob was focused on baseball and his studies as a Civil Engineering major, he became enchanted by the beauty and charm of Mary Grace Hernandez. After a brief courtship Bob and Grace married and started a family. After Bob got his degree they moved to Borger Texas where Bob began his professional career designing and building earthen dams. Bob also had a brief stint as a semi-pro baseball player. In 1966 Bob took a new position with the Bureau of Reclamation. Bob and Grace packed up their 5 kids (Mike, Rick, Gary, Kathy and Larry) and relocated to Lakewood, Colorado where Bob lived for the rest of his life.

Bob’s distinguished career with the Bureau spanned 35 years during which time he received many achievement awards for his contributions in managing and developing federal water resources. As Assistant Geotechnical Branch Chief for the Bureau, Bob was asked to host a delegation of Russian engineers during their trip to the U.S. In addition to sharing engineering best practices Bob and Russians educated each other on the proper ways to drink vodka and tequila.

When Bob was not at work he could usually be found either on the field as a baseball coach or in the stands as a proud parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent. Bob loved watching his family members’ sporting events, musical performances and art showings. The experiences Bob cherished most were the times he spent with his family placing luminarias around the house then having lunch at Dino’s on Christmas Eve, working on home repair projects, gardening, and celebrating any real or made-up special occasion.

Bob and Grace were active members of Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church and for many years were a host family for young Colorado Rockies players from Latin American countries. Bob treasured the relationships he developed with his church, his community, and the players and parents of the many teams he coached.

The best way to summarize Bob Fink’s life is to say that he had a positive impact on those around him. Come and celebrate Bob’s life and legacy at the service and Celebration of Life on June 27, 2026, at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church starting at 10:00 AM.