Robert W. Monk

Robert W. “Bill” “Bob” “Billy Bob” Monk, age 87, passed away peacefully October 12, 2021 after he lost his second battle with cancer.  He was born May 1, 1934 in Emmetsburg, Iowa to Thomas and Florence Monk.   He married Marion “Mary” Warde in May 1960, she preceded him in death in 2003.  He then married Beverley Wertz in November 2005.  

Unlike most folks, Robert had 3 nicknames depending on how you knew him. His siblings and family referred to him as “Bill” or “Billy Bob”, while people who met him later in life called him “Bob”.   For simplicity, I will refer to him here as Bob.  

Bob grew up mostly in Emmetsburg IA, he spent a few years in Illinois where he lived with his Aunt and Uncle during a few lean years for his family. He considers Emmetsburg his home and where he is from. He graduated from Emmetsburg High school in 1952 and was the first in his family to graduate, he then enlisted in the Navy.  

Bob served in the Navy from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War. When he left the service, he moved to Omaha to go to trade school to learn how to maintain heating and air conditioning systems (HVAC).  While in trade school he worked at Swanson foods where he met Mary. Upon completing trade school, he married Mary in Omaha, they moved to Rockford, Il where they had two daughters, then to Chicago, IL and finally to Colorado in 1972 where they spent most of their time in Arvada prior to Mary’s passing.  

Bob worked for several HVAC repair companies including Murphy & Miller, Inc. in Chicago. When he moved to Colorado he started working for hospitals and office buildings in their maintenance staff most notably with Valley View Hospital, which is now North Suburban Hospital, and 20 years at Children’s Hospital, where he eventually retired.      

Whatever he decided to do, he did fully. Whether it was making ship models and participating in a ship modeling club or his church. Bob was passionate about his church and his faith.  He was a member at Peace Lutheran Church in Arvada for more than 45 years. He served as an Elder and was on the church Council. He was also was the lead on their Evangelism Committee.   He ministered to inmates in the Colorado Correctional Facilities and he felt that everyone deserved a second chance at life. If you needed help whether it was a 2:00 pm or 2:00 am, if he had the ability to help you he would and wouldn’t ask any questions.  

Bob is survived by his wife Beverley six siblings including their spouses, five children/stepchildren and spouses, plus numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his siblings Rosa and Grace, his daughter Cindy, and stepdaughter Rose.

The family would like to ask for donations in memory of Bob Monk to be sent to Peace Lutheran Church 5675 Field Street, Arvada, CO 80002. The donations will be used towards their Easter celebrations, which was one of Dad’s favorites.  

Please join the family at any of the below services or at Church Ranch Event Center for a casual gathering to celebrate his life with wonderful food, drink, and conversation. 

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