Robert (Bob) Paul Steffens was born February 19, 1943 in Alamosa Colorado to Raymond and Charlotte Steffens, a local area farming and ranching family. After a brief illness, Bob passed away on July 24, 2026 in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Bob started school in Hooper, later transferring to Stanley School and then to Sargent High School. Bob loved growing up on the farm, helping his Dad and older brother with the livestock and milking the cows. Bob always had an interest in animals. He was active in 4-H showing his calves, milk cows and horses. He had several champion calves that he showed locally, at the Colorado State Fair, and Arizona National Western Livestock Show, where he had the reserve champion steer.

While attending Sargent High School, Bob was involved in athletics playing football, wrestling and track. He was the Colorado State High School hurdle champion in 1961.

Sargent High School was a great experience, and he had many friends that became lifelong friends – students, parents and teachers. He graduated from Sargent in 1961and then enrolled at Ft. Lewis A & M Durango to pursue a degree in agriculture. He attended school there for one year. Upon recommendations from a special friend and his father, he transferred to CSU in Ft. Collins to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine. He loved Veterinary School and graduated third in his class in 1968. The members of his class became very close friends and remained that way throughout their lives.

Upon graduation Bob took a position as an Associate Veterinarian at the Animal Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. This was a great experience as he worked long hours and worked on many of the large Texas ranches which included some of Bob’s favorite things such as preparing and eating Dutch oven cooking at some of the chuck wagons.

Bob missed the mountains and Colorado so he returned to the San Luis Valley and purchased Valley Veterinary Clinic from Dr. Wallace Leary in 1969. He owned and practiced there for 43 years selling the practice in 2012. The greatest times of his life were at the clinic; he loved his clients, and the animals. Bob stated many times over the years that many of his best friends were animals.

Bob married Dixie Roberts in 1963 and together they had three children. Dixie and Bob divorced in 1976.

After the divorce, Bob met Karen Sliwkowski and her son, Matthew. Karen became his best friend and wife of 45 years. Bob often said that any success he found in the show ring belonged as much to Karen as to himself. He knew he could never have accomplished what he did without her constant help, encouragement, and support.

Bob was an active member of the Alamosa Rotary Club for almost 50 years serving as President for three terms. He enjoyed the fellowship, specifically the annual Rotary shows in the 1980’s that were such a hit with the community. During one of the Western scenes at Richardson Hall, he surprised the audience by bringing one of his horses onto the stage.

Bob thoroughly enjoyed living and working in the San Luis Valley and he always thought the people were wonderful. He loved the mountains and he took his horses there at every opportunity whether it was a trail ride, hunting, or fishing. Bob enjoyed taking pack trips, spending time in the mountains and Dutch oven cooking.

Bob developed a special hobby– breeding, raising, training and showing horses, especially his Arabian horses. He loved teaching a horse to do a specific job and be the best at it. He produced many local, regional and national champions. He raised one very special horse named Thom Thom, who was a four-time Canadian National Champion and a United States National Champion four separate times.

All this was accomplished with Bob in the saddle. After selling his veterinary practice, Bob did veterinary relief work in many clinics throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas until health issues forced him to retire.

Bob and Karen enjoyed going to the Denver Bronco football games as Bob was the veterinarian on duty for the horse mascot, Thunder (the first Thunder) during many games. This created many fond memories and great new friendships.

Bob helped numerous 4-H kids with their projects over the years and was thrilled to be part of their success. Bob also served on the Blue Peaks Development Board for three years.

Bob and Karen moved from Alamosa to Grand Junction Colorado in 2022 to retire. They thoroughly enjoyed the move and met many new friends.

Bob is survived by his wife and best friend, Karen, of the family home in Grand Junction, his children, Mandi (Don) Weed of Monte Vista, Colorado, Paul (Andrea) Steffens of Alamosa, Colorado, Tim (Emily) Steffens of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Matthew (Tami) Sliwkowski of Creede, Colorado, brother Harold (Margaret) Steffens, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, grandchildren Robby (Danielle) Weed, Jordan (Terry) Hensley, Sarah Steffens (Barett), Angela Heersink, Michael Steffens (Kristen), Becky Steffens, Sydney (Jason) Rosado, Charlie Steffens, Lilly Steffens, Tyler Sliwkowski, and Brooke Sliwkowski, great grandchildren Hayden Weed, Jamison & Weston Hensley, Ethan Gibson, Jason T, Jr. & Kalyn Heersink, and Jaylin & Genevieve Steffens. He is also survived by many extended family members including numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, who were all dear to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held at The Hay Loft at Creede, 24723 Highway 149, Creede, Colorado, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:30 am, with lunch to follow.