Robert Versluis

Robert Marquart “Bob” Versluis of Hillsboro, formally of Gunnison, CO, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, August 23, 2021. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Timothy Vaverek as celebrant. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, conducted by the West Veteran’s Honor Guard. Masks and social distancing are encouraged for all services. Robert was born on December 9, 1936, in Oelwein, Iowa, the only son of August "Gus" and Iola (Marquart) Versluis. He was a first generation American as his father immigrated from Belgium in 1888 as a child. During his childhood, his parents lived in Stanley and Waterloo, IA where they ran a neighborhood grocery store. In 1953, they moved to Denver, CO where he finished his senior year of high school at Denver East High School. He then attended Colorado University for a year before joining the United States Air Force on July 28, 1955 and decided to become a radio intercept operator. He was stationed in Misawa, Japan for 2 years from 1956 to 1958. Bob then went to Germany to the Air Force base in Darmstadt near Frankfort. He was honorably discharged in 1959 and went back to Denver and worked for Hathaway Instruments doing a sub-contract work for Martin Marietta on Titan nuclear missiles. Bob then attended Western State College in Gunnison with his good friend Jim Buckley as roommate, and it was there he met the future love of his life, Fern Colson. They were married on June 3, 1961 in the Gunnison Community Church. Bob earned a Bachelor of Industrial Arts Degree in 1956, then 2 years later he graduated with a Master of Arts in Social Studies. He began his career in 1968 as an assistant professor and the director of continuing education at Western State College, now known as Western Colorado University. Bob was involved with the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, where he served as captain of the Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL from 1982 to 1995. For his service, he was honored with the Aerospace Education Achievement Award in 1983. He retired from Western State College in 1995, and was recognized by the college with the title “Emeritus Professor.” Bob and Fern welcomed the birth of their first daughter, Diedre in 1969; their second daughter, Deborah, in 1972; and their son, John in 1974. Bob and Fern became members of the Catholic faith on April 1, 1974 when Reverend Father John Kiernan was the priest at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gunnison. It was here that Bob, Fern, and their children were baptized, received 1st communion, reconciliation, and confirmation. Bob served on the church parish council and became a 4th degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. They remained members of St. Peter’s church until May, 2012 when they moved to Hillsboro, TX. On July 17, 2021, they returned to Gunnison to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary among many family and friends at St. Peter’s parish hall, and had their marriage vows renewed during mass by the surprise visit from retired Monsigner Father Jim Koenigsfeld at St. Peter’s church. Bob was a member of the Church of the Assumption in West, TX, and a member of the Knights of the Columbus of the 4th degree council in West, but also remained membership with the 3rd degree Knights of Columbus council in Gunnison, CO. If anyone knew Bob and Fern, they were always on the go and enjoyed traveling the world. While their children were young, they visited all 48 states, all the provinces of Canada, and parts of Mexico. In later years they managed to visit over 130 countries on all 7 continents. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend with a sharp wit and a good heart. He will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure to know him in both the Gunnison and Hillsboro communities. Bob is preceded in death by his parents; 12 aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Fern (Colson) Versluis; his children, Diedre Anne Versluis of Aurora, CO, Deborah Anne Knoll and husband Jason of Hendersonville, TN, and John Robert Versluis and wife Kate of Hillsboro, TX; grandchildren, Ashleigh Harris and husband BJ of Friendship, TX, Emma Knoll, a student at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Alexander and Alaina Versluis of Hillsboro, TX; great-grandchild Deacon Harris; a sister-in-law, Loretta Lutz and husband Mel; a niece, Heather Lashmett and husband Darren; great nephews, Pake Morford and Breck Lashmett of Delta, CO; as well as many other cousins and relatives throughout the United States. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leadership Greater Hillsboro, 1316 Corsicana Hwy Hillsboro, TX 76645.