Robert (Bob) Joseph Kuzma, 71, went to be with his heavenly Father on June 15, 2016. Born August 25, 1944 to Joseph and Mary (Petro) Kuzma in the small coal mining town of Hazleton, PA, he settled in Colorado Springs, CO after a 20-year career in the United States Air Force.
Bob grew up playing baseball and, after high school, signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He later joined the Air Force, became a physical therapist, and earned two Master’s degrees, specializing in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Bob retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1989 and opened Wooden Valley Physical Therapy clinic in Colorado Springs. Later, he managed a PT clinic for Penrose Centura Health System. He was married to Salinda Bachman Kuzma for over 47 years and they have three children together.
For many years, Bob was a volunteer trainer for high school sports teams. He was instrumental in creating an athletic trainer program and placing full time trainers in district 20 and district 11 high schools. Bob spent his retirement years volunteering for Pikes Pike Hospice and Tri Lakes Cares medical clinic. He also spent many hours working with youth baseball catchers. Bob loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker. One of his favorite events was the Pikes Peak Ascent race which he competed in 17 times. He also enjoyed biking and taught spinning classes at the Air Force Academy gym for many years. Bob was a very compassionate man and was always taking care of people. He showed his love by offering his services to those in need and he never missed an opportunity to teach.
He will be greatly missed by his loving and devoted wife, Salinda; his three children: Jeff, Jennifer, and Jessica; his seven grandchildren: Joy, Elly, Anna, Trenton, Natalie, Amber, and Kate. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Kuzma.
A memorial service and reception will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday, June 25th at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2505 N Circle Drive, in Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s name may be made to the Medical Mission Clinic at www.missionmedicalclinic.org or Pikes Peak Hospice at www.pikespeakhospice.org.
Anonymous
23 Jun 2023Sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I played fastpitch softball with Bob at Holloman AFB, New Mexico in 1970 or 71 when Bob was a young Captain! He was a great player and nicer person.
Larry Coil
Maureen Sawyer
13 Sep 2023I’m sorry to hear of LTC Kuzma passing. I was privileged to be under his tutelage as a young airman at Pease AFB, NH. He saw promise in my career and took me to the Air Force Academy which was a life changing assignment personally and professionally. He was a great influence on my life and will alway be remembered.
Maureen Sawyer