Robert J. Simpleman Sr., known to friends and family as “Bob”, passed away on February 20, 2018, at the age of 74 years. One of the things he will be most remembered for was how much he loved his family.
Bob was born in Trinidad, Colorado to LeRoy and Rose (Bilotti) Simpleman on March 18, 1943. He attended Trinidad Junior College where he met the love of his life, Joyce (Linder) Simpleman. Bob continued his education at Adams State College, graduating with a degree in Education. After graduating, he taught high school in Raton, NM and Loveland, CO. In 1969, he began his career with the State of Colorado working with the developmentally disabled. He and his family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1973 when he took a position at the Grand Junction Regional Center.
Outside of work, you could find him out with his family, working with his dogs, hunting or fishing; he was an avid outdoorsman. Bob was quick with a smile and joke. He befriended everyone he 
met and was always seen talking to someone, even a stranger. He was a very kind and generous man, thinking of others before himself. Bob served on the directing board of various organizations, including St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and A Leash on Life.
After retirement, he continued to give of his talents to the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Center as a dog trainer. In 1998, he started a program with the Department of Youth Corrections Services and Animal Control of Mesa County, one of his crowning achievements. It is called “Leash on Life”.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 51 years, Joyce Darlene; son, Rob (Julie) Simpleman Jr., and daughter, Rochelle (Tim) Arvizo; grandsons, Jonah Simpleman and Hudson Arvizo; brothers and sisters, Shirley (Sister Rosaleen), Barbara (Joseph) Dwyer, Louis (JoAnn), Chuck (Jackie), and Rosalie (Carl) Amato. His numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends will also forever remember Bob.
A Celebration of Bob’s life will be in the summer of 2018 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Memorial donations in memory of Bob can be made to Mesa County Animal Services, Attn: Doug Frye, 971A Coffman Road Whitewater, CO 81527.
Courtesy Comi Funeral Home
