A memorial graveside service for Bob and Rita Stoller will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 10 am at the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton.
Robert Stoller, 88, went to heaven on April, 14,2018, in Carlsbad, New Mexico, surrounded by his children.
Bob was born in Raton, New Mexico, June 18,1929, to Harold and Josie B Stoller. He graduated from Raton High School in 1947. He attended Colorado State University and New Mexico State University where he received a degree in Agriculture. Bob participated in ROTC and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force before graduating from college. He married Rita Jo Meeker on September 5,1951. They had four children that were raised with great love. Bob served two years active duty in the Air Force and eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. His reserve duties included service as Liaison Officer for the U. S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Following college and his service in the U. S. Air Force, Bob returned to Raton to work for his family’s business, the Raton Flour Mills. He went on to own the Union Bus Station, was in charge of sales at KRTN Radio, and retired as the assistant vice president of marketing at Sunwest Bank.
He was active in his community taking leadership roles in the Raton Jaycees, the Raton Lions Club, Gate City Lodge #11 of the Masonic Temple, Search and Rescue, the Raton Chamber of Commerce, the Raton Housing Authority, and the Raton Trap Club. Bob was a founding member of the Raton Trap Club and served as a state officer. Trapshooting was his passion. He held several state and southwest zone championship titles. He was honored with being inducted into the New Mexico State Trapshooting Hall Fame in 2010. Bob continued to be an active trap shooter into his eighties. Bob was a friendly guy and always had a smile. He was a loving husband, father, and friend. He was a faithful member of the men’s coffee group at Johnny’s Bakery. He was a life-long member of the First United Methodist
Church in Raton. He and Rita also attended First United Methodist Church in Artesia.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Harold.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Rita, daughter Linda Yates and husband Peyton of Artesia,
son Ron Stoller and wife, Donna of Raton and Las Cruces, daughter Bobbie Goodloe and husband, Rob of Artesia, and Beverly Purtymun and husband, Kevin of Los Alamos. Grandchildren: Brennan (Ashley) and Kevin (Sarah) Orr, Josh (Claudia) and Colleen Stoller, Michael (Jennifer) Goodloe, Brianna (Kevin) Lohse, and Dillon (Tiffany) Goodloe, Tyler and Hannah Purtymun. He leaves behind ten great-grandchildren. Bob loved God, his family, his country and his community.
The family wants to thank the wonderful caregivers in the Landsun Memory Care unit in Carlsbad. They loved our dad.
Arrangements for Robert E. Stoller are under the direction of the Terpening and Son Mortuary in Artesia.
Services at the First United Methodist Church in Raton and internment at Fairmont Cemetery will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Landsun Homes, Carlsbad, The Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals,
Tampa Florida, or the First United Methodist Church, Raton.
Services at Fairmont Cemetary on September 3rd, 2022 @ 10 am
To the Stoller family,
My wife and I would like to send our condolences. We had the privilege of meeting Bob in Landsun nursing home. He was in the same unit as my mother. They sat at the same table for meals each day. He reminded me of my father because of the hats he wore. He was delight to talk to and told wonderful stories of his life. Wish I could have met him in his earlier years. You are correct, heaven has received another angel. May the Lord send your family healing.
Sincerely,
Tommy and Brandi Ford
Artesia, NM
We were saddened to learn of Bob’s passing, and want to extend our thoughts of sympathy to you.
We have such fond memories of him and his infectious smile. He was such a nice man and gave a lot to his community……..appreciated by all. May the wonderful memories bring you comfort.
To the Stoller Family,
Dennis & I left Raton as a young couple in 1977. We returned for a partial retirement in 2005. I went to work at
the local Eye Clinic. What a great time for me. I got to reunite with people as an adult that I had known as a child. Your folks were so special, and I got to see your Dad as a special, caring husband. No doubt in my mind
where your Dad and your husband ( Rita) is. Heaven is so fortunate to have recieved another angel from
Raton, NM. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, Kim (French) Marchet
Thank you so much Kim. We always new Daddy was a special guy to us, but we have been truly blessed to find so many others feel that way too. Until the very end he was just as sweet as ever and even winked at us before he went with the angels. Thank you again, Bobbie (Stoller) Goodloe