Robert Emmanuel

Durango resident Robert John "Bob" Emmanuel died Tuesday, June 14, 2011, of multiple myeloma, in Durango, Colo. He was 86.

Bob was born August 17, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pa., to John Stanley and Florence Emmanuel. After graduation from Upper Darby High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Wooster College and a master's degree in petroleum geology from the University of New Mexico. He pursued doctoral studies at the University of Kansas. Mr. Emmanuel served in the Navy during World War II and was stationed in the Philippines. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant, serving as Captain of a landing craft tank.

Bob met Janet May Olson at a dance in Chicago and they corresponded while he was serving overseas. They married September 6, 1947 in Chicago.

Mr. Emmanuel worked as a petroleum geologist for 32 years for Conoco, Inc. -- onshore in Mississippi, Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming, and offshore in Singapore, Indonesia and Dubai. During his working years overseas, he and Janet had the opportunity to travel to many countries around the world. They first moved to Durango in 1965, and returned in 1984 to make their home at Falls Creek Ranch.

One of his passions was volunteer work in the community. Mr. Emmanuel was a troop leader for Boy Scouts of America. He served as a deacon and on various committees at Presbyterian churches, and he was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.

Mr. Emmanuel joined the Kiwanis Club of Durango in 1987 and served as president in 1994 and 1995. A generous supporter of Kiwanis, he was a recipient of the Lusche Fellowship and the Hixon Award. He also served as an interclub coordinator and attended many Kiwanis conventions. Fellow Kiwanis Club member Don Baker said of him, "My experience with Bob through church and the Kiwanis Club was that he was the finest gentleman I have ever met."

One of Bob's greatest pleasures was watching his grandchildren participate in sports. His family remembers that Bob never met a stranger and always had a story to tell.

Bob is survived by his wife Janet Emmanuel of Durango; daughters Susan L. Scarpino of Santa Fe, N.M.; Sandra K. Heller of Durango; and Diane B. Emmanuel of Durango; son Craig L. Emmanuel of Laramie, Wyo.; two sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church of Durango.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the American Heart Association, 1280 S. Parker Road, Denver, CO 80231, or Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, c/o The Children’s Hospital, 13123 E. 16th Ave. B911, Aurora, CO 80045.