Robert Bruce Rucker went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ at 9:37 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the age of 90 years old. Robert was born on December 13, 1932, to William Lovelace Rucker and Crystal Bruce (Rucker) in Goodland, Kansas, where Robert’s father was opening a Sweetbriar Store. Bob’s father traveled frequently, opening and managing Sweetbriar Stores, and the family moved to Dodge City, Kansas (where his sister Joyce was born), and then to Denver, Colorado in 1938 where they settled down. Robert’s education was in schools on Denver’s East Side. (Pre-school and Grade School at Montclair). He attended Gove Junior High School and East High School, where he graduated in 1950. Bob’s life was constantly interspersed with jobs, starting at a young age. He mowed lawns, cared for children, delivered newspapers, shoveled snow and filled the family coal bin. He also worked pumping gas at a local Phillips 66 station, and worked as an orderly at the University of Colorado Medical Center. Bob’s parents had divorced, and he and his mother rode everywhere in Denver on streetcars. At age 16, Bob took $800 hard-earned dollars and purchased a 1941 Chevy. This served him well when he began attending the University of Denver, majoring in Business Administration (with a minor in Economics). He was also a part of the ROTC program and graduated in 1954 with his degree in business and a commission as Second Lieutenant into the United States Army. Robert went to basic training in Fort Eustis, Virginia in the Summer of 1954, and entered active duty. He was sent to Goose Bay, Labrador in 1955, resupplying radar sites. He served active duty for 2 years, and then served in the reserves for another 6 years, during which he was promoted to Captain. On December 15, 1953, Robert married Mildred Ann (Mickey) Wilson of Denver, Colorado. She relocated to Virginia while Bob was in the military, moving with his duty stations. Daughter Cheryl Ann Rucker was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1957. After the service Bob worked for GMAC in Virginia, collecting past due accounts. He then began working with Macy’s in retail, moving to Kansas City, Missouri (and later Kansas). He managed 2-3 departments for the then-prestigious store. He was then recruited by Montgomery Ward as an Assistant Manager and trained to be a store manager in various Texas stores. During these years the Rucker family lived in Waco, Ft. Worth, and Houston. The Rucker family added a son in 1961, Richard Douglas Rucker, while in Kansas City, Missouri. Bob was very proud of both of his children and loved to take them on adventures. Many of these involved travel and camping, and there are cheerful memories in vehicles like the old Vauxhall, the “station wagon with the big camping box on the top,” and the VW Bug. In 1970 the family moved to Denver with Montgomery Ward. Robert then took a position with Bond’s Clothing as Store Manager at North Valley Mall. Later, Bob took positions with Woolco in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, where he worked as a Department Manager. He also worked at Service Merchandise. Robert then retired from professional work in the Retail Industry, but kept working, this time for Volunteers of America and Meals on Wheels, delivering food. After retiring Bob decided to travel, first in an RV and later in a van and trailer. Along with his second wife Dotti, they explored all sorts of regions of the United States and several places in Canada. They drove the Alaska/Canada Highway, and ventured all the way across into New England in the U.S. They also enjoyed several cruises. In later years, Bob lived in La Junta, Colorado and then relocated to Brighton, Colorado where he lived with his son Richard. His parents and younger sister Joyce (who died as a young teenager from a childhood illness) preceded him in death, as did his first wife Mildred Ann (Mickey) Wilson. He is survived by his daughter Cheryl Grant (Steven) of Evans, his son Richard Rucker of Brighton, Grandchildren Rachelle Starr of Parker, Randy Rucker of North Denver, Elisabeth Grant of Greeley, Sarah Carlson (Benjamin) of Greeley, and great-grandchildren Jason Starr, Jr., Tyler Starr, Lily Rucker, Randy Rucker, Jr., Naomi Carlson and Esther Carlson. His body will be laid to rest at Fairmount Cemetery on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, with military honors.