Obituary of Bob Hendricks

Wilson Robert “Bob” Hendricks came into this world, July 30, 1928, to William “Bill” and Mary Hendricks in McCook, Nebraska. He was born with his fist doubled up to fight and a fighter he was. He grew up in Burlington, graduated from Burlington High School in 1946. In high school he played football being the quarterback that led the team to a Co-Championship, the first and last time there was a Co-championship in Colorado. He was the first All-State Quarterback for the Burlington Cougars. Bob attended four years at Colorado State University “Fort Collins” he was a cheerleader because he couldn’t play football. He served three years in the United States Air Force, serving as First Lieutenant on the Staff of General Curtis Lemay helping in the development and implementation of what later became the US Strategic Air Command. His nickname in the military was Buck Shot. After serving in the Air Force, Bob returned to the family business following his graduation from the Dallas Mortuary Institute in 1953. He married Nelda Bingham on April 11, 1952 to this union four children were born: Vicky Lynn, Richard Terrell “Terry”, Tammy Gayle, William Randolph “Randy”. While in Burlington he ran a milk route, the Hendricks ambulance service, Hendricks Mortuary with his folks, taught EMT classes and was the county coroner for 30 plus years. Bob was appointed by the Governor and served eight years as a State Commissioner for the Colorado Department of Fish and Game, which is now the Department of Parks and Wildlife. From this he developed strong, lifelong friendships with many of the Game Wardens throughout the state and particularly with those serving the southwest region of Pagosa Springs, Durango and Creede. Bob loved to go on pack trips in the San Juan Wilderness area, White River and Yampa Wilderness. He had a lot of good times and several frightening ones too, such as being struck by lightning that killed nine horses and one person, getting lost in the wilderness, bear hunts, looking for lost hunters and hikers. Later there were pack trips with Bonnie, the Brownings’, the Weltz’s, his boys and nephews. On one of their trips, he had to set Bonnie’s broken leg with tent stakes, bridle reins and a saddle blanket. There was never a dull trip. Bob always seemed to be where the action was. His motto was “You only live life once, but if you do it right once is enough.” One trail ride Bob was helping the young cowboys and cowgirls get their horses saddled. He saddled his horse, step in the camper for a few minutes, came out and found his horse with the saddle on backwards. The kids really teased him, about saddling his horse the wrong way. All pay back for his lifelong history of good-natured mischievous pranks. He loved riding with friends, they on their horses and he on his favorite horse Magnum. When he was on Magnum, he was happy and at home. Bob’s hobbies were flying planes, riding motorcycles, riding horses, driving horses and buggy, traveling with good Sam friends, reading, and playing his harmonicas with the Shadow Riders Band. He was an avid swimmer and once he scuba dive the full width of the Bonnie Dam Reservoir. Bob was a member of the First Christian Church and sang in the choir for years. He served on several committees, nine years on the Colorado State University Alumni Foundation Board, member of the Prairie Carriage Club and Flatlander Good Sams. Bob and Bonnie were married in 1974 and combined a family of six children. They bought the Hendricks Mortuary from his folks, also bought the Brentlinger Mortuary in Cheyenne Wells, developed the Hendricks Mobile Home Park, and ran the Hendricks Vault and Monument Company. They sold Hendricks Mortuary to Ernie Love in June of 1992, which then it became Love Funeral Home. Bob and Bonnie completed another longtime dream, they got to build a new home northwest of Burlington and loved every moment with their dogs, horses, cats and the freedom of country life. Bob loved being able to spend time with his kids and grandkids. In 1988, they bought their first 5th wheel camper and joined the Flatlanders Good Sam Club. They had great times with great friends. They were snowbirds going to Arizona for nine years, where he sang and played his harmonicas in the Big Jam Sessions. Bob left his earthly home on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at his home north of Burlington, Colorado. He was 92 years old. The family remembers him as a strong-willed man, a loving husband, father, great grandfather. He was a man who reached out to help many and who never missed the chance to lift up, inspire and pass along wisdom to any young person he ever encountered. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mary Hendricks, brother Tom and son Troy. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, children Vicky Lynn Emerson, Terry Hendricks and wife Monica, Tammy Baughn and husband Russ, Randy Hendricks, Vic Czapenski, and husband Dave, sister Dixie Sullivan and brother Joe Hendricks. Also surviving him are numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church or to the Burlington Public Library in Bob's memory and may be left at or sent to Love Funeral Home, 377 15th Street, Burlington, Colorado 80807or to the Bank of Burlington, PO Box 427, Burlington, Colorado 80807.