Robert Edward Pope

Robert Edward Pope (Bob), 86, of Durango, Colorado died April 11, 2023 at his home. Robert Pope was born April 15, 1936, in Jefferson City, MO. He was raised in Wentzville, MO, and he served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958. Pope married  Constance Elaine Wilde (Connie) in Boulder, CO in 1958. They lived in St. Louis, MO for a few years before moving to Denver, CO, where Pope worked for the DART Vibrator Company. There he was introduced into the heavy civil construction industry. In 1966 they moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he started Pope Equipment. He supplied equipment to many large tunneling and mining projects. Pope started Mining Equipment in 1981 and the family moved to Durango, CO, in 1983. He was passionate about his business and family. The mining and construction industry was his extended family. He said often with sincerity, "I've never worked a day in my life." Pope loved fishing, especially trips to Great Bear Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and spent many hours cheering them on. His family was paramount to him. He had a special relationship with each of his seven grandchildren. Pope is survived by: his wife of 64 years, Constance Pope; children: Carrie P. (Hugh) Smith of Austin, TX, Robert E. (Jeannine) Pope, Jr. of Durango, CO and Matthew F. (Tracy) Pope of Durango, CO; Grandchildren: Ryan Smith (Eleasa Sokolski) of Portland, OR, Alex Smith of Houston, TX, Sally Pope of Durango, CO, James "Jimmy" Pope of Durango, CO, Megan (Nick) Morand of Houston, TX, Joseph "Joe" Pope of Durango, CO and Thomas "Tommy" Pope of Durango, CO. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Columba Catholic Church, 1800 E. 2nd Ave., Durango on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM, with a graveside service to follow at Greenmount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Columba Catholic School in Durango: www.stcolumbaschooldurango.org/donate-now.