Robert William Rufe – October 14, 2024

Robert “Bob” W. Rufe, age 88, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024. He was a resident of Woodland Park, Colorado, for twenty-seven years and was formerly a resident of Naperville, Illinois.

Bob was born on April 11, 1936, to Lester and Dorothy (Peck) Rufe in Hartford, Connecticut. He earned a B.A. from the University of Rochester in New York and was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. He also earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

He met the love of his life, Lieutenant Joan Knight (Navy Nurse Corps), when the most powerful typhoon ever recorded devastated the island of Guam in November 1962. On May 19, 1963, Bob and Joan were married in Yokosuka, Japan. Joan passed away in 2023, just a few months before their 60^th wedding anniversary.

Bob had twenty-eight years of combined active and reserve service with the U.S. Navy. During active duty, he served on the U.S.S. Iowa and the U.S.S. Impervious before assuming the role of executive officer aboard the U.S.S. Bolster. That assignment was followed by the role of operations officer of the U.S.S. Oglethorpe. Later in his naval career, Bob was the commanding officer of the naval reserve units at Forest Park Naval Reserve Center, Naval Station Great Lakes, and the U.S. Naval Reserve Officer Training Base in Milwaukee. He was the recipient of the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He retired as a captain in 1987.

In his civilian life, Bob was the human resources director for the Northern Illinois Gas Company and later for Pansophic Systems, Inc. He also started several businesses to provide financial planning and tax preparation services. He was a member and past president of the Naperville Toastmasters Club, provided planned giving services for two non-profit organizations, and served on the board of several other organizations.

Bob was fond of WWII history, space travel stories, da Bears, and traveling with his wife, family, and friends. He enjoyed photography, skiing, and living in the mountains. He loved God with all his heart and remained actively involved in his church for many years. 

Bob is survived by his children, Karen (Joe) and Mike (Tia); his grandchildren, Hannah and Zack (Tricia); his great-grandchildren, Adira and Thea; his sister, Dottie; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; his parents, Lester and Dorothy; and his brother, Dick.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard in Colorado Springs. A reception will be held following the service at Olympian Plaza Reception and Events Center, 975 South Union Boulevard in Colorado Springs. Bob and Joan’s ashes will be interred side-by-side at Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Robert’s name to Pikes Peak Hospice. (www.pikespeakhospice.org)