Robert Hollinger Saunders

A glorious day came for our dearest Bobby on October 4th, 2023, when he went to be with his
Lord and Savior. Bob was born Dec. 15th, 1936, to Rowland F. Saunders and Lois M. Saunders
in Mack, Colorado.

He was born and passed away, living his entire life on his homestead in
Mack. He attended New Liberty Grade school, Mack Elementary, and graduated from Fruita
Union HS in 1954. He then attended Mesa State College. He married his high school
sweetheart, Virginia Hodson, in 1954. They were married for almost 70 years. Bob and Virginia
took over the Mack homestead and raised 3 daughters and 1 son, while farming and running a
dairy.

Bob also went right to work at the American Gilsonite at Fruita, where he was the lead
safety operator. Bob was a man of many talents and loved to work with his hands. He loved his
garden, (cantaloupes, raspberries and rhubarb were his favorite), and if you knew him, a bowl of
sweetened rhubarb piled high on ice cream or cereal was his favorite! He loved to hunt in the
Bookcliff Mountains, and enjoyed camping, 4-wheeling, and fishing in Meeker. Bob had many
different jobs over his long life. He was a contractor, a dairy farmer, and an electrician, owning
Ballast Bob’s Lighting Service, serving City Market’s all over the 4 state area. He also at one
point ran for Mesa County Commissioner.

Bob also served many years on the Grand Valley Power Board of Directors, and the Ute Water Board. He and Virginia spent many years wintering in Arizona with their friends. Throughout his life, Bobby was an active and loving
father, grandpa and great-grandpa. He helped his kids and grandkids build their houses, teach
them to farm and ranch, teach them to be electricians, and so much more! Bobby loved his
sports! He enjoyed watching all his grandkids, and especially his great-grandkids, play all their
sports, from basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, baseball, wrestling, swimming, and showing
animals at the fair, he was at every event! His favorite thing to do with the grandkids and
great-grandkids was to throw them down on the ground and wrestle and tickle them! He never
lost a match! Somedays, a good ol’ tickle from Bobby was just the ticket!

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, his son, Michael Saunders, and Son-In-Law, Jon
Murch. He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Hodson) Saunders of Mack, daughter, Connie
(Chris) Bennetts of Fruita, daughter, Tammi (Jon) Murch, of Glade Park, daughter, Christina
(James) Hancock, of Fruita, and sister, Maurine Reed, of Fruita, CO. Bobby is also survived by
8 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

No services are planned and the family asks for privacy at this time, but cards would be appreciated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice Care Center or HopeWest of GJ in Bob’s memory.