Robert Maynard Hurkett went home to his Heavenly Father on June 26, 2026, at the age of 98. He passed peacefully in his Fort Morgan home with family in the early morning hours.

Bob was born on May 6, 1928, in Steubenville, Ohio, to Robert Hurkett, a steam pipe fitter, and May Catherine (Woods) Hurkett. Bob grew up with three sisters Alice, Alberta "Toots", and Helma "Skip".

He graduated a year early from Englewood High School in 1945. After spending a year studying at Aggies in Fort Collins, another opportunity called. On April 16, 1946, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Serving as a Private First Class, he was stationed in California where he worked as a 35mm projectionist before completing his service on December 10, 1947.

Returning home, Bob became the 3rd generation in his family to become a plumber. He began an apprenticeship with Midwest Plumbing and Heating Company. What started as an apprenticeship became a lifelong trade, and he went on to become the oldest licensed master plumber in the state of Colorado.

In 1949, Bob spotted a beautiful young woman with "great legs" skating at the local roller rink. It was love at first sight. He asked Jean out and, eager to spend more time with her, cleverly volunteered to drive her home. He always laughed about earning a hug on that very first date. Bob would often come to Littleton High School during Jean's lunch hour.

On October 22, 1949, Bob married Betty Jean Merrill in a beautiful candlelit ceremony, beginning a marriage that would span 65 wonderful years until Jean's passing in 2015.

Their song was Art Mooney's I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover, and throughout their marriage they treasured the four-leaf clover as a symbol of the love and good fortune they shared.

Together Bob and Jean raised three children: Marva, Earl, and Cindy. Their family was built around adventures. Camping trips, fishing excursions, vacations to Disney, and countless memories together. One Christmas morning, Bob announced that Santa Claus must have paid them a special visit because two horses were standing in the snowy backyard. He was always creating moments of wonder like that.

While he was a devoted father to his own children. His love and generosity extended well past his own family. He welcomed many young people into his heart, becoming a father figure to those who needed guidance and additional support. He generously helped with life's expenses, countless experiences and the love and stability of a father. Though not related in blood they were family to him and made a lasting impression in his life.

In 1954, Bob founded Town and Country Plumbing by going door to door offering his services. Ironically, while building his business, his own family lived in a quaint log home without indoor plumbing. Through hard work and determination, the company flourished. By the 1970s and 1980s, Town and Country Plumbing was completing major projects for banks, hospitals, schools, and businesses across Colorado.

As his business expanded, Bob earned his pilot's license and began flying himself to projects in Steamboat Springs. Marva fondly recalls joining her dad on many of those work trips and Cindy remembers her dad flying her to Steamboat for lunch.

Bob loved to fish rivers and streams, especially the Green River. It seems everyone who knew him has a favorite fishing story or memory of casting a line alongside Bob. Cindy recalls watching her dad in his waders, fishing the Green River while the family camped in a nearby meadow. Bob later built a cabin along that same river, creating a place where countless family memories were made. Cindy remembers that whenever her line snagged along the riverbank, her dad was always there to patiently free it so she could keep fishing. Marva fondly recalls fishing trips filled with adventure, including one special visit to a dude ranch on the White River, where she caught the biggest fish and learned to ride horses.

Earl fondly remembered one unforgettable fishing trip to the Green River during his high school years. After a week of fishing, Bob flew the family home to Fort Morgan. As they prepared to land, the landing gear indicator lights suddenly went dark. Rather than take a chance, Bob calmly powered the plane back into the air and tried again. The same thing happened a second time. On the third approach, he radioed the airport and asked someone on the ground to watch whether the landing gear was down, but the radio failed. Looking out the window, Earl remembers seeing the plane's shadow on the ground and realizing the landing gear appeared to be only halfway extended. Knowing they were running low on fuel, Bob calmly told everyone to brace themselves. He made one final approach, prepared for whatever might happen. At the last moment, the landing gear locked into place, and he safely brought everyone home.

Not limited to his children, Bob taught generations of family and friends how to cast a line and for a lucky few, even how to fly. Timmy could often be spotted fishing alongside his grandfather, while his granddaughter Courtney fondly remembers learning to both fly and fish from Papa. Bob's love of aviation lived on through his family, inspiring his great-grandsons Timmy and Tyler to become pilots themselves.

Bob also dedicated himself to serving his community. He was the first Mayor of Log Lane Village, helping bring natural gas service to the town. In the 1960s, he proudly served as a volunteer firefighter in his community, always keeping his turnout gear ready by the front door in case the call came.

In 1973, he and business partners established Landmark Mobile Home Community. Ever the firefighter at heart, Bob made sure the streets were built wide enough for fire trucks to navigate safely and proudly did all of the plumbing himself.

After Jean's passing in 2015, Bob lived a quiet life in Fort Morgan with his beloved granddaughter and caretaker, Tianna Freriks, and his faithful cat, Jackson. He loved watching Alone with his dear friend Tom, reading magazines, catching up on his Fox News and eating his homemade cabbage pockets or Tom's chili.

He will be remembered for his countless selfless acts of kindness toward his family and his community, his remarkable fishing skills, his quick mind, and his unwavering optimism. Throughout his home, small notes of encouragement and positivity could be found - a reflection of the way he lived each day. Bob had a gift for seeing the best in every person and every circumstance, and he left those around him better for having known him.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert and May Hurkett, his beloved wife, Jean Hurkett, his sisters, Alice Brooks and Helma "Skip" May and his sweet kitty Jackson.

He is survived by his sister, Alberta "Toots" Lung; his three children, Marva Bellendir (Tim), Earl Hurkett (Jenni), and Cindy Hurkett; his eight grandchildren, Amy Bellendir (Rebecca), Timmy Bellendir Jr. (Adrienne), Micah Hurkett (Josh), Monica Hurkett (Bert), Courtney Nault (Ray), Robert Hurkett (Rachel), William Freriks (Rachel), and Tianna Freriks; his thirteen great-grandchildren, Linson Jamison, Kaden Nault, Tristen Nault, Ashton Nault, Blayke Hurkett, Noah Hurkett, Faith Hurkett, Eli Hurkett, Lissy Freriks, Maddox Freriks, Timmy Bellendir III (Bre), Tyler Bellendir and Leora Hurkett; and his great-great-grandson Brooklyn Jamison. As well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at Immanuel Evangelical Church, 318 W. 7th Ave., Fort Morgan, Colorado, on Thursday, July 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. Bob and Jean were faithful members of Immanuel Evangelical Church for many years. A reception will follow the service.

For those unable to attend, you can click the link to join the livestream for the service below.

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc4Mjc0MjkyNTQxOTc4OCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Mount of Olives, Block 10, Lot 24.

Flowers are welcome. Those wishing to make a memorial gift may contribute toward the family reception through Tianna Freriks or make a donation to Immanuel Evangelical Church in Bob's memory.