Robert Dwane “Bob” Griese passed away on September 18, 2026 in Fort Morgan, Colorado. He was born on June 17, 1933 to William and Hazel Griese of Last Chance, Colorado, and was the sixth of their seven children.

Bob graduated from Woodrow High School in 1951 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953. He proudly served as a civil engineer during the Korean Conflict until his honorable release in 1955.

Bob first met the love of his life, Wanda Chapman, in the eighth grade at Woodrow School. Their first official date was at the Senior Prom in 1951. While Bob was away serving in the military, they both realized they were deeply in love. Shortly after his return, they were married on June 19, 1955, at the Methodist Church in Last Chance.

The newlyweds began their married life in Mineral Wells, Texas, where Bob finished his military service, while Wanda taught music in Snyder, Colorado. In 1956, they moved to Rock River, Wyoming, where Bob worked at a local gas station. They returned to Last Chance in the spring of 1957 to start their family. They were blessed with three sons: Larry Wane, born August 7, 1957; Paul Dexter, born May 20, 1961; and Randy Ray, born July 16, 1963.

The year 1958 marked the beginning of Bob’s impressive entrepreneurial journey. He and Wanda ran the Last Chance Cafe and, shortly thereafter, built a six-room motel. Bob soon expanded the business by renting the Last Chance Store. In 1963, they relocated the store and motel to the north side of Highway 36, added a restaurant, and renamed the business the Red Spur. Bob built a home for his family onto the back of the Red Spur and sold the motel to his sister’s family. For 28 years, the Red Spur was both their home and livelihood until July 1986, when a motorhome caught fire at the gas station and completely destroyed the property.

Showing his resilience, Bob moved the family business endeavors to Brush, Colorado. There, he and Wanda opened the Red Spur Music Store and later operated Crain’s Cafe alongside his sister, Faye, and brother-in-law, John Cable. From 2004 to 2014, Bob and Wanda became beloved fixtures in the community as the favorite door greeters at the Walmart in Fort Morgan. Later in life, Bob dedicated his time to staying home to care for and cherish Wanda as she battled dementia, until her passing on June 25, 2022.

Bob is survived by his three sons: Larry (Janice) Griese, Paul (Gayla) Griese, and Randy (Jeri) Griese; seven grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda Griese; his parents: William and Hazel, his siblings: Fern Kral, Harold Griese, Howard Griese, Donnie Griese, Faye Cable, and William (Jr.) Griese.

Bob will be deeply missed as a wonderful, loving, and providing husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A pillar of both the Last Chance and Brush communities, he will forever be remembered for his strong character, loving heart, and resilient spirit.

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Brush United Methodist Church. Inurnment at Brush Memorial Cemetery will immediately follow.