Bob Armstrong, (RC as his dad called him), began life as the last child to be born at the old Akron Hospital in Akron, Colorado. He was born on February 13, 1950 to William Michael Armstrong and Margaret Mary Mohatt. He joined his older sister Julia, (Judy), and older brother Michael. He was followed by younger siblings Bernard, Joseph and Monica who he nicknamed "Jake".

The Armstrong family lived on two different farms near Otis, Colorado. While he was very young Bob learned how to work hard, milking the cows, (which he hated), and driving the tractor, (which was fun). He taught his younger brother Joe how to call horses, bridle and saddle them, then herd the cows and drive them in the right direction. The family was rough and tumble, but a lot of fun. With the encouragement of their dad they rode horses, played practical jokes, hunted pheasants and jack rabbits, (Bob was always the best shot), and got into trouble, (nothing too serious).

Bob was a real horseman, and was really good working horses, particularly his palomino "Goldy". He won lots of rodeo and horse show events, bringing home trophies, ribbons, and his life long worn, "Trophy Belt Buckle." A horse trader down in Platner, Colorado, named Tiny, was a horse trader in the 60's. He had about a dozen Shetland Ponies, which Bob was able to ride even though they were little devils. Tiny found the market was good in California for Shetland Ponies, so when Bob was about 11 or 12 years old Tiny asked Bob's dad if Bob could go to California with him so he could demonstrate to people how easy it was for a child to ride the little stinkers. Bill eventually refused to let Bob travel with Tiny, but Bob continued work with Shetlands, teaching them how to behave.

Bob attended first grade in a country school near Otis and transferred to Otis school in town in second grade. On the first day of second grade he met Dallas Armstrong, (no relation), who became a life-long friend. Later in school he "joined forces" with Glen Whitten and they had a very colorful school career and remained friends throughout their lives. Although Bob didn't care much for school, he graduate from Otis High School in 1968. He remained in touch with some of his classmates at annual Otis Alumni events.

During his school years Bob was a serious football player and played as a starting guard lineman. He loved playing football because he could, "kill the other guy." Bob also excelled in track, setting records that lasted for decades, which made him so proud. He placed well enough in districts to compete in the State Track meets in the long jump and sprints. Bob got along so well with his track coach that he organized farm trucks loaded with coal from Brush to spread cinders around the track in Otis.

Before graduating from high school Bob had a custom combining business with his brother Mike, and they travelled together from Oklahoma to Montana. Bob was a fantastic mechanic. He could fix almost anything. He bought old cars and trucks, fixed the brakes, and got them to run with the help of his brother Joe. He was great at welding and fabricating whether adapting a 350 V8 into an old 6-cylinder farm truck or adding power steering onto an old Massey loader tractor. His skill at welding eventually landed him a great job at the grain elevator.

Rather than being drafted, Bob joined the United States Navy in February of 1969. He served in the Seabees overseas where learned more about running heavy construction equipment. He was honorably discharged in November of 1970.

Since he was a little boy about four years old, Bob knew he wanted to work with the cows. So, after his service, Bob went to work as a hired man at the Medicine Rocks Ranch in Ekalaka, Montana. There he learned more about the cattle business from Frank and Charlene Mehling. When he returned home, he met and married Sherry Dorn. Sherry's father and Bob's dad each bought then leased land back to Sherry and Bob. Together they made Bob's dream come true, building the Z Bar V cattle ranch in Akron, Colorado and raising black Brangus cattle. Those who knew Bob knew that as far as Bob was concerned, there was only one kind of cow, and that was a black one. Bob never stopped loving the cattle and would often point out the herds of cattle, especially the black ones, while out on a drive in the country.

Bob was a real-deal cowboy. He rode bulls, busted broncs, branded cattle and later in life had the aches and pains to prove it. He also was a racehorse jockey and loved motorcycles, racing cars – anything fast. He was very involved with the fair out at the Washington County fairgrounds and was a horse judge there for many years. Bob did business with a handshake rather than a contract and he was a good neighbor, helping out another neighbor in need even when there was a disagreement between them.

In addition to ranching and farming, Bob also worked as a school bus driver for Akron schools, tanker truck for Dairy Farmers of America, sugar beet truck driver for the sugar factory in Fort Morgan. He was a landlord in Sterling and Brush, and he was a heavy equipment operator/road grader for Morgan County Road and Bridge. He also employed other drivers in his own trucking company, Plains Trucking. Bob was well known as a hard worker, and he often worked several jobs to help support the ranch.

After Bob's divorce, and later in life Bob met Janet Gay Lockard at the Ackleyn Court Apartments in Brush, Colorado. Bob would walk past Jan's apartment number 5 to get to his own apartment number 12, and he would try to strike up a conversation. Jan was shy but Bob really won her over. The cowboy from Otis, Colorado and the city girl from Detroit, Michigan made an odd couple, but it worked for them. They bought a home together in Brush, and they were married at the Chapel of the Plains in Stoneham, Colorado on August 17, 2019 by Pastor Paul Speicher. Together they traveled on a honeymoon to Yellowstone, then later traveled to Michigan. They went to concerts and movies, ate out, volunteered for the local Meals on Wheels, and loved each other dearly.

Bob was very outgoing, making friends easily and was always one for a good conversation. Bob was a good, steadfast and loyal friend. He was always there to help whenever a friend needed him. In addition, Bob took a special interest in teenaged boys and was a friend and mentor to a number of young men when they needed someone to help guide them. Bob liked a good joke and had an ornery sense of humor. He liked teasing other people and he had a twinkle in his eye when he was pulling someone's leg. Jan was one of Bob's favorite targets and he could almost always put one over on Jan. Even though Bob was a really tough and ornery guy on the outside, he was a very tender, gentle and loving man on the inside. He enjoyed helping other people and giving them opportunities. Sometimes that backfired, but even when he was hurt by others, Bob never gave up on trying to help people.

The most important thing that Bob did was to gently and patiently bring Jan back to Jesus. Bob was very proud when Jan accepted Jesus into her life again. After COVID, Bob and Jan started attending church at Harvest Assembly of God in Brush and with Pastor Paul's teaching, they became members there.

Since the time that he was a very young boy, Bob wanted to be with God. Recently he just longed to go Home. After a long illness, he got his wish on June 17, 2026 when he passed away at home in Brush holding Jan's hand.

Bob was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle and dearly loved husband. Most of all he was a friend.

Survivors include his wife, Jan Armstrong of Brush, sister Judy Dickens of Brush, brother Mike Armstrong of Paxton, Nebraska, sister-in-law Judy Armstrong of Fort Morgan, brother and sister-in-law Joe and Sandy Armstrong of Grand Island, Nebraska, and sister and brother-in-law Monica and Bruce Chapman of Akron. He is also survived by nephews and nieces, friends Dallas Armstrong and Glen Whitten and his two cats Jack and Jenny.

Visitation for Bob Armstrong will be at Heer Mortuary 225 East Platte Avenue in Fort Morgan on Sunday, June 28 from 4 – 6 pm with Rosary at 5:30 pm. A funeral service of Gratitude and Homecoming will be held at Harvest Assembly of God 1012 Eaton Street in Brush on Monday, June 29 at 10 am. Burial will follow the service at Otis Cemetery 40002 County Road RR, (on Highway 61 which becomes County Road RR, at County Road 39). Dinner will follow burial at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 510 Lincoln in Otis at 12:30 pm