Robert "Bob" Diehl

Robert C. Diehl passed away July 27, 2025 in Colorado Springs, CO. Born in Rock Springs, WY to Leonard Francis Diehl and Margaret Ella Stephens, Bob grew up in Leadville, CO and graduated from Lake County High School in 1965 with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

He enjoyed outdoor activities such as hiking, exploring, hunting, fishing, and golf. During high school he quickly rose through the ranks in scouting to become an Eagle Scout. He belonged to Troop 2073, led by Jake Feringa. Among the most magnificent experiences of his life were the extraordinary summer journeys he took across the United States in a refurbished school bus with fellow troop mates.

After high school, Bob and friend James Gerstner enlisted in the United States Air Force under the buddy system. They studied electronics. Bob served his country for two and a half years.

After his Air Force duties ended, he attended Colorado University in Boulder, CO attaining his BA in entomology. In the summertime, Bob worked for the Forest Service and Climax Mine in Leadville. He attended Western State College in Gunnison, working toward his master’s degree in entomology.

In 1977 while in Leadville, Bob reconnected with his high school friend and classmate Kay Forberg during the Boom Days dance at the Elks lodge. They danced one dance and decided to get married! Bob and Kay were married on October 15th of that year and luckily for Bob, Kay came with kids and cats, and Bob’s life was full.

Bob went to work at the post office as a letter carrier in Leadville. His route entailed walking 13 miles a day for 30 years. He was fondly known around town as the mailman with the long beard.

Bob’s hobbies included never ending reading, studying, hunting, bowhunting, fishing, fly fishing and fly rod building. He dabbled in cabinet making and woodworking. And because of his love of cribbage, he earned a Grand Master rating.

In 2004, he and Kay retired to Canon City where his newfound hobbies became bird watching and walking for pleasure along the riverwalk and Skyline drive, averaging seven miles a day. Being retired allowed Bob to spend an enjoyable amount of time with lifelong friend Bill Godfrey, which usually involved several games of cribbage.

Bob was a quiet man but enjoyed humorous family gatherings over the last 20 years. He loved his free time reading, studying, learning, learning, learning, always learning with most recently being art and drawing.

Bob leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Kay Diehl; children, Dana Hamik (Angie Eustice) of Grand Junction, CO, John Palumbo (Phyllis Ferraresi) of Omaha, NE, Gina Garris (Ephraim Mallory) of Niwot, CO; siblings, Trish Diehl of Canon City, CO, Roger Diehl of Mesquite, NV (Nu Thiland), Eric Diehl (Barbara) of Evanston, WY, and Mary Finny (Daryl) of Artesia, NM; as well as 4 granddaughters, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Roma Robison and Katherine Collins. He will be sorely missed by all his loved ones.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Bob" Diehl, please visit our floral store.