Robert "Bob" Edward Modlin

Robert Edward Modlin, most recently of Denver, Colorado, died peacefully on March 26 after a brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born in Asheville, N.C., on June 12, 1941, to Lula (Boatwright) Modlin and Robert Bruce Modlin. His wit, drive to achieve and love of adventure were on full display from his young days in Ocala, Florida. He spent his youth playing sports, working in the family grocery store, serving as “president” of the neighborhood “daredevil club” and following the developments in space exploration. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his master’s degree from the University of Illinois, he trained at Fort Jackson, after which he spent several years serving in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Bob’s early career in parks and recreation took him to Austin and then Corpus Christi, Texas, where he met Susan Nix. Their courtship involved motorcycle rides on his Honda, tennis tournaments and early mornings working on his shrimp boat. In 1972, they married in Alpine, Texas, and lived in Northglenn, Colorado, and Mountain View, California, before settling in North Texas.

Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Modlin Recreation Equipment, Inc., a business that sold park and playground equipment across Texas and three surrounding states. A man of deep faith, he served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Denton, Texas, where he built wonderful friendships. As a family, he, Sue and their children Karen and Mike took many trips to Colorado, where he climbed several of the state’s magnificent “14ers” and taught both kids to ski. When not taking road trips in their family Suburban, they loved going to Texas Rangers baseball games and spending summers on the boat.

Upon retirement, he and Sue enjoyed giving tours of Cowboys Stadium, and in 2018, they moved to Colorado to be closer to their children. After his official diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in 2021, Bob said, “I’m not afraid. My faith in the Lord is strong.” We rejoice now that the Lord has carried him through.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Lula and Bruce Modlin, and his sister, Mary Neikirk.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue Modlin, his children Karen and Michael, his daughter-in-law Sarah Beth Thompson Modlin, and his grandchildren Griffin and Eloise.

Graveside service is 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 1st, 2024 at Thomas Cemetery.