Robert A. Phelps
November 1, 1924 ~ November 27, 2009
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Robert A. Phelps, born in Pueblo, November 1, 1924, died November 27, 2009.
Bob attended Thatcher and Somerlid schools and graduated from Centennial High School in 1943. Immediately upon graduation, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving three years in Battery D of the 480th AAA Battalion. Most of this service was in Europe following landing at Utah Beach in Normandy, France.
Bob obtained his B.A. degree from Mexico City College in 1949. He studied at San Marcos University in Lima, Peru in 1949-1950 and received a certificate of studies. He earned his M.A. in 1953 from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He also studied at Shrivenham University in Southern England during the Summer of 1945 while in military service. He taught at Florence High from 1950 until 1952 when he moved to Centennial where he taught until 1959. He was then a founding teacher at East High until his retirement in 1982.
He was well known for his interest in Western art and was an opera fan.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Lou Hughes of Aurora, Colorado; sister-in-law, Betty Phelps of Pueblo; brother in-law, Jay Hughes of Aurora; nieces, Roxanne Padden of Loveland, Colorado, Laura Williams of Loveland, Colorado, and Anne McClester of Aurora, Colorado; his grandnephews, Patrick Padden, and Heath and Hunter Williams; and his grandnieces, Ana Pilar Padden and Kimberly McClester.
Per Bob's request, there will be no viewing or service. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium.
Remembrance gifts may be made to the Sangre de Cristo Art Museum of Pueblo or to your charity of choice in his name. Online condolences, MontgomerySteward.com
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My dear friend Bob.
I miss very much our daily morning walks together at the Pueblo Mall–the many subjects we discussed and the problems of the world that you and I solved.
I thank you for teaching me to appreciate Southwestern and Indian art, pottery, baskets, and rugs. But most of all I appreciate having you as a friend. I will miss you very much. You are now resting in peace.
G.U.Bob, I’m really truly going to miss you. Thanks to you, and your ever lasting love of teaching, you taught me about our family. Our roots, how many people can say that in this day and age. I’m glad you are in a better place. God bless.
My family moved to Pueblo from Santa Fe in 1963 I was in my senior year and Bob was teaching at East…..and reporting to my Uncle Tom Yourick my behavior ha ha I can still see Bob standing outside his door to Spanish Class, arms folded it was always nice to
exchange a few words with a caring
person who took teaching seriously
over the years Bob and my Uncle Tom were very good friends and so the whole family considered Bob a part of our family He will be missed our uncle died in October of this year and now Bob The holidays won’t be the same that is for sure Rest in peace Bob! Prayers and Blessings to the Phelps
Family at this sad time
To Mary Lou and the Phelps family,
57 years is a long time to be in close friendship with someone. I came to Centennial in ’51, Bob in ‘52. We’ve been friends since.
Bob was a rare bachelor who was interested in our children and their families. He knew their birth dates and remembered when he first heard each boy was expected! He followed them as they grew, went to college, married.
I knew nothing about art. Bob took the time to share with me his knowledge, thus enriching my life. He was good at taking me, friends and family through his home gallery. Once our PEO chapter once met there so he could share with the entire chapter!
For me, his late fall death will always be a poignant memory. His card always arrived first, serving notice that I needed to send my own.
I can’t end this message without recalling the many phone chats Bill and I had with Bob in recent years as his health problems occurred. I’m glad he turned to us when he needed someone.
With love & sympathy,
Mr. Phelps was a wonderful teacher who taught the student by way of the subject matter. World History came alive, the people, the cultures became real in a place like Pueblo, CO. However, the rules of a gentleman came through and we became ladies and gentlemen in his presence and beyond. I feel blessed for the experience.
Carol Rossorelli Nachtigall
Class of 1964
I met Mr. Phelps as a freshman history student in 1963. I then took Spanish and made a friend. He gave me a safe haven every morning until I graduated. I would remember his birthday by buying him Smith Brothers licorice cough drops. After high school I continued the friendship and we exchanged Christmas cards every year. He probably never knew how much he did for me by giving me a place where I felt wanted. Whenever we saw each other I always felt special because he remembered my children’s names, what I had written in my last Christmas card, and he shared where he had traveled to. I will miss him.
Mr. Phelps was an insperation to me,when I was a senior at East High School 30+ years ago, Mr. Phelps was my Spanish teacher and he never gave up on me, at this time i was pregnant with my first child and he encouraged me to stay in school and finish and continue on so i would have a good life, He is one teacher that made a BIG difference in my life and I will never forget him.
Hard to imagine in todays world, but for over 50 years Bob was our neighbor. And for over 60 years a friend of our family. A true gentleman. Always a smile and a kind word. A dry sense of humor. His passing is a loss to all of us. Thank you Bob for being our friend and neighbor, we will miss you.
Dorothy, Margaret (Samuelsen), Jean, and Steve LaHue
Bob was a good, honest,caring man.
We had him a long time.
Good thoughts and prayers.
God Bless You.
Rest in Peace.
Uncle Bob, I’m so sad that you’re gone. I’m going to miss visiting you and listening to all of your amazing stories. I’m going to miss not being able to come to your house and look at all of your antiques you had been collecting over the years. I’m sad you won’t be able to be with me on my wedding day but I know you’ll be with me in spirit. I will cherish the memories we had forever. I love you Uncle Bob and will miss you dearly!
Kimmy
We enjoyed our short visits with Robert at City Dinner for the past three years. I know he will be missed by our family. Robert and Deanna Mooney and Grandchildren.
Uncle Bob, you said to me “Land the plane Lucy and get to the point”. Well, the plane has landed. You weren’t just my Uncle, your were my Pal.
I have known Mr. Phelps for a very long time. I enjoyed chats with him as I left my grandparents home. Even my children would enjoy chatting with him in the mornings. He was a wonderful individual with a love of life. His yard was always so beautiful, and he was always ready to chat if he had a moment. He will be missed.
I am truly saddened by this loss of Life. Robert was my good friend for many years. Memories too numerous to mention!