Robert Lee Sallee
June 21, 1947 – Sept 10, 2021, a life-long resident of Colorado Springs, Co.
Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sue R. Sallee (Hubbell), daughters Michelle Sallee and Robin Sallee; grandchildren Michael Sallee, Bobby Sallee, Christopher Sallee, Jenny Wecker and Noah Schneider; as well as great-grandchildren Hudsyn Wecker, Bailey Wecker, and Josephine Sallee.
Bob had a multitier career spanning over 50 years. He strived for excellence in all he did which was exemplified by his 35-year career at Hewlett-Packard/Agilent where he started in the shipping department and advanced through the years to Facilities Manager. Somewhere through those years he started a business raising and selling Llamas and would regularly win the annual Llama races in Fairplay, CO. After retirement from Agilent, and one long summer of building various water wheels and windmills for the yard he found himself bored and decided to buy a local small business. His search led him to A Clean Lot, a modest, parking lot sweeping company. 17 years later, the once uninspiring company is now one of the largest in the city and, more important to him, a family endeavor. The business will continue to thrive under ownership of his grandson, Michael.
Nobody worked harder than Bob, just ask him. But as much as he liked to work hard, Bob loved to play hard. In his early years Bob could be found exploring the world, from camping in the most remote places of the Rocky Mountains to water skiing through the endless canyons of Lake Powell. For those who didn’t know, Bob was an avid water-skier and if you were boating with him, you were a water-skier too. Nothing says “you’re going to enjoy this whether you like it or not” like a man waterskiing with a dangling 5-year-old gripping for dear life around his extended arms; spoiler, all his kids loved it. In his later years Bob began to explore the furthest edges of the USA, from hiking the volcanoes of Hawaii to cruises along the coast of Alaska. It’s here where he discovered two of his other loves, the macadamia nut (particularly with a hint of white chocolate, wrapped in a cookie) and a cold Alaskan Amber. Through all the years and adventures, Bob’s wife Sue was right next to him – after all who do you think was driving around this fanatical water-skier. Bob loved adventure, but he only loved it when he was with his wife and family. The highlight of his year was the one week in July when all his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids would collect for a leisure week of swimming, boating, and fireworks at Seabreeze – Bob and Sue’s home on the Lake of the Ozarks.
Bob had many titles through the years: boss, retiree, entrepreneur, or owner, but nothing was more precious to him than when his grandkids affectionately renamed him to Papa which eventually evolved into Popster. If there was ever any question how much he loved being a Papa – or Popster, it was answered when he pulled up in his Lincoln Navigator with the license plate which simply read POPSTER.
Without question, Bob was a serious hard worker who would let everyone know, you can play after your work is done. He expected the most out of the people he respected because he expected the most from himself. But under the shell of militant-like work ethic, he was a serious adventurer, mentor, friend, and family man. That shell would easily dissolve away when one of his great grandkids crawled or walked into the room. Everything you needed to know about who he was could be seen on his face in that moment when he would be driving toy cars around the carpeted floor or sipping a cup of imaginary tea. Bob loved his family and his family loved him, even when he sang “Sunshine on My Shoulder” completely off key – on purpose. Bob, Dad, Papa, Popster is missed every day by his friends and family. Join the family and raise a glass of Alaskan Amber to cheers to a life that changed so many for the better.
He is forever in our hearts.
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