Cobirders,
I think it was the fall of 1987 when I joined a DFO field trip mid-morning at Cherry Creek State Park. It was my first foray into organized birding. Jack, who was leading the trip, greeted me when I approached the group and Bob was the next person to welcome me. He began chatting with me, asking questions and had a keen interest about my level of birding. He then proceeded to make sure I saw each bird the group identified and pointed out the finer points of each species. Being a very punny fellow, I remember him being in rare form that day, but that did not deter me from coming back! I began regularly attending the DFO meetings and always enjoyed chatting with Bob. I remember the meeting where he was so excited because he was going to Red Rocks the next day to see a Purple Finch for his 400the state bird. That was a big thing back in the day. I got to know Bob as well as one can on different field trips over the years. Then, in the winter of 2001, Bob rode down to Durango and back with me on a twenty-four-hour odyssey to see a Harlequin Duck. I think I worked in four words on the trip down. But that was okay because Bob had a rich narrative about his life, his family and birds. And yes, we did “get” the bird! More importantly, I got to know someone that I thought I “knew” up until that point in time. They don’t make them like him anymore. Rest easy Bob, and I hope you have been able to add Carolina Parakeet to your list now… Good Birding, Steve Stachowiak Highlands Ranch, CO From: cobirds@googlegroups.com <cobirds@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Joe Roller Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 12:02 PM To: Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com> Subject: [cobirds] Robert A. Spencer, March 31, 1924 - May 11, 2020 Today is a somber day, as long-time Denver area birder and friend, Bob Spencer, passed away yesterday. His son, Robert, asked me to post this brief obituary. There cannot be a memorial service anytime soon due to Covid-19, but we'll eventually find a way to gather, share memories and mark his place in our lives. Joe Roller, Denver Dear members of the birding community: It is with sadness that I share with you that my Father, Robert (Bob) Spencer died peacefully yesterday while in recovery from a recent broken hip. He and his new bride, Shirley (died 2006) moved to Golden Colorado from Buffalo/Rochester New York in 1952. They lived in Golden ever since. My Father worked as a printer, but he lived to see birds and share birding with the regional birding community, especially members of the Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO) and Colorado Field Ornithologists (CFO). While serving as a past president of DFO (circa 1990) he helped invent the Ptarmigan award, which the organization still gives out periodically. Some of his proudest moments was receiving lifetime achievement awards from both organizations. I am so grateful for all of the friendship and support that the birding community has shared with my Father throughout his long life (he was 96 years old!). Donations in his name may be sent to: Colorado Field Ornithologists (cobirds.org <http://cobirds.org> ) OR Denver Field Ornithologists (dfobirds.org <http://dfobirds.org> ). Robert L. Spencer, Ph.D. Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience Director of Neuroscience Major Department of Psychology and Neuroscience UCB345 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO 80309 office room: Muen D465B office phone: 303-492-0854 robert.spen...@colorado.edu <mailto:robert.spen...@colorado.edu> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com <mailto:cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com> . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAJpZcUCn7eBPSZdqTYdkm_0gNrvqykkkVJN7GAH4CP1d%3DQHy9g%40mail.gmail.com <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAJpZcUCn7eBPSZdqTYdkm_0gNrvqykkkVJN7GAH4CP1d%3DQHy9g%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/000d01d62a58%24bc02ff50%243408fdf0%24%40q.com.
