Robert J. Wands
June 24, 1939 ~ October 31, 2025
Born in:
Denver, Colorado
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Robert J. Wands, 86, passed away Oct 31, 2025.
Robert is survived by his daughters, Kirby (Rod) Marquez, Cassandra Krupka; granddaughters, Kendell (Cole) Bennick, Conley (Josh) Campbell, Savannah Krupka, Madison Krupka; and grandson, Peyton Krupka. He is also survived by his sister, Alice (Dunbar) Susong; brother-in-law, Robert Longgrear; and his significant other of 5 years, Jean Donnelly.
Robert is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Carol and his brother-in-law, Russ Longgrear.
He was born on June 24, 1939, in Denver, Colorado. He was a Professor Emeritus at Colorado State University–Pueblo, where he began his teaching career in 1963. In addition to his long tenure there, he served as Director of the Wands Art Studio and Gallery beginning in 1978. Early in his career, Robert gained valuable experience with the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, where he was Artist in Residence from 1972 to 1977. His first professional position was as an instructor at the University of Denver from 1962 to 1963.
Beyond his academic and artistic pursuits, Robert was deeply involved in his community. He served on the Board of the Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park, Colorado, beginning in 2000, and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, Colorado, from 1981 to 1987.
Robert was a devoted husband to Carol for 51 years and a loving father to his daughters, Kirby and Cassandra. He also cherished his grandchildren—Kendell, Conley, Savannah, Madison, and Peyton—and in later years, shared his life with his significant other, Jean Donnelly.
In his free time, Robert loved hiking and spending time at his summer home in Estes Park. He was also an avid traveler and animal lover. Robert will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be determined in early summer 2026.
Memorials may be made to The Southern Colorado Spay and Neuter Association, 1700 S. Prairie Ave., Pueblo, CO 81005, in his memory.
Robert Wands was a wonderful painter, teacher and colleague. Vicky Hansen
Bob will be missed!
‘Tis a fearful thing
to love what death can touch.
A fearful thing
to love, to hope, to dream, to be –
to be,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
And a holy thing,
a holy thing
to love.
For your life has lived in me,
your laugh once lifted me,
your word was gift to me.
To remember this brings painful joy.
‘Tis a human thing, love,
a holy thing, to love
what death has touched.
— Yehuda Halevi
This helps me.
Dear Cassie and Kirby,
My deepest condolences to you and your loved ones ones. Your father was a great Man! How he loved you!!
We loved you and your mother. Please accept my condolences. Love you.
Wonderful teach and artist.
Mr Wands was a wonderful teacher and artist!
Bob was great person, and definitely loved his pets! And he was such a talented artist. I have one of his beautiful landscapes that I won in a silent auction that he was generous enough to donate to benefit one of my employees with cancer. My sincere sympathies go out to his family and his significant other. I know he will be missed.
Bob (Professor Wands) was a wonderful teacher, artist and a kind person. He was my painting teacher at CSUP in the ‘80’s, and always very encouraging to his students. I don’t think he had an unkind word to say to anyone.
RIP Prof. Wands…you’ll be remembered fondly.
My condolences to his family,
Wendy Fairchild
Sending condolences and lots of love to the Wands Family. Bob was a part of my childhood as well because I was fortunate enough to be friends with Kirby and Cassie. Bob was so patient and kind, as well as incredibly talented. I will always have the fondest memories of him driving that tan van and his gentle voice and demeanor. Sending prayers up for comfort for this wonderful family. 🙏🏻🕊️
What an interesting, intelligent man and wonderful artist…his signature cloud paintings were my favorites. Rest in peace.