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Robert

Robert Hemphill

d. December 2, 2012

Obituary for Robert L. "Bob" Hemphill

Longtime Durango resident Robert (Bob) L. Hemphill, 86, died at home December 2, 2012, in Durango, Colo.

Bob was born April 5, 1926, to Earl and Alvina (Heyen) Hemphill in Gillespie, Ill. He graduated from Shipman High School at the age of 16. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp at age 17 in 1943. Bob had just completed training to be a B-25 pilot when WWII ended, and he was honorably discharged in 1945.

He married Jane L. Schaffenacker January 1, 1947, in Mt. Pulaski, Ill. In 1948 Bob graduated from Western Illinois University with a B.S. in Education. He began his teaching career as a social studies teacher and head basketball coach in La Junta, Colo., in 1948. From 1950 to 1954 he taught social studies and coached in Newman, Ill. He owned and ran his own independent insurance agency in Newman from 1954 until 1969.

In the early 1970's he taught social studies and was head of social studies department at Durango High School. He and Jane owned and managed the Royal Motel, the Adobe Inn and the Thunderbird Lodge in Durango until they retired in 1994. They owned and lived at Pinerock Ranch in the Animas Valley for 24 years.

Bob and Jane retired to Green Valley, Ariz., in 1994, returning to Durango in 2007 to be near their daughter. During retirement, they traveled extensively throughout the United States and the British Isles.

Bob had many hobbies and interests, including history, geography and bird watching (he was the “go to” person among friends and family for these topics), bridge, and reading. A sports enthusiast, he loved hiking in the back country, golfing, and downhill and cross country skiing. He refereed high school basketball and football games for many years. He was also an “armchair” referee for his beloved Denver Broncos, but also enjoyed watching all sports. He grew huge vegetable gardens and supplied numerous restaurants in Durango with fresh basil during the 80's.

His daughter remembers, "When he developed an interest in a new hobby or activity, he read and researched the subject thoroughly. He was meticulous in making travel plans and always knew an interesting route to take, where to eat, and off-the-beaten-path sites or activities to enjoy."

One of his proudest achievements was during his first year of coaching basketball in 1949 at La Junta, when his team won the Colorado State Basketball Championship. He also took pleasure in the fact that he was able to join the volunteer ski patrol at Purgatory in 1970, when he had only been skiing for two years.

His family and friends will remember him for his smile, impish chuckle, sense of humor, twinkly eyes and good natured teasing. His genuine interest in other people garnered him friends spanning many generations because he was fun to be around.

He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Maurice Hemphill.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years (one month shy of 66 years) Jane L. Hemphill; daughter, Phoebe Hemphill, of Durango; son and daughter-in-law, William and Billie Ruth Hemphill, of Cottage Grove, Ore.; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation will occur, and an informal memorial service will take place sometime next summer at the beaver ponds below Spud Lake, one of his favorite spots.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado St., Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Hemphill, please visit our flower store.

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