In Loving Memory of Robert and Milt Sharpe

Robert Edward Sharpe Obituary

Born: October 12, 1952
Died: December 30, 2021

Robert was the fifth of six children born to Rev. William Sunday Sharpe and Thelma Ritchie Sharpe, who were missionaries in a Wesleyan Methodist religious sect called the “Pillar of Fire”.  Robert was born in Oakland, CA while his parents were serving there in the church and school.  In 1954 the family was reassigned to the Church’s western headquarters in Westminster, CO, known as “Belleview”.  There Robert attended elementary and high school, graduating in June of 1970.   Following high school Robert worked in several areas of the construction industry.  He became known for being a perfectionist in his work.

Besides enjoying roofing and renovating, Robert loved to travel and invited many of his friends to spend time with him in his Indian “sweat lodge”.  Robert was a long-time resident of Boulder and was well known for his contributions to community events, to town council meetings, and to talk-radio.  He loved music and dancing.  He championed many causes and was especially dedicated to the preservation of open space around Boulder. 

He had a life-long ambition to gather as much Sharpe family memorabilia as he could, and over the years he amassed thousands of pages of documents that he kept in safes, file cabinets, and boxes.  It is believed he died trying to save this collection during the “Marshall Fire” that swept through his neighborhood on December 30, 2021. Much of the older family materials stored in fire safes in his garage survived in good condition.  Documents and photos from his later years were mostly destroyed, although a few partially survived.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Stanley M. “Stan” Sharpe who died of covid on December 14, 2021.  He was survived by his older brother, Gerald William “Jerry” Sharpe and partner Mae Figueroa of Bauang, La Union, Philippines; his younger brothers Charles Nathan “Charlie” Sharpe of Longmont, CO and Milton David “Milt” Sharpe of Chula Vista, CA; and a sister Eileen Gail and husband Ron Fournier of Wendell, NC; and his step-mother, Elaine Cather Sharpe of Arvada, CO as well as four step-sisters and their families.  In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well as grand nieces and nephews.  His youngest brother, Milton David “Milt” Sharpe died on November 23, 2023.

A zoom memorial for Robert was hosted by Paul Temple in January of 2022.  The link is  Roberto Sharpe Community Memorial.

EULOGY FROM ROBERT’S YOUNGEST BROTHER MILTON D. “MILT” SHARPE

Our brother Robert Sharpe called Boulder home for 40 years. He relished his home there on Marshall Road. He was an Activist for many causes, well-known for being at most town council meetings and a regular caller on the local radio station. He was known throughout his life for his generosity to his friends. He often showed up with a huge stocking full of presents at the homes of friends with children at Christmas time. He loved to dance. Most recently salsa dancing. He was always smiling and wanted the world to be a better, happier place.  He fought hard against all injustice that crossed his path. He said, “I will do my best for whomever God puts in front of me.” Like many of us, his effort did not always get the results he aimed for. He found disappointment and heart ache when the world turned upside down. My brother just loved life! He strived to be happy, to be a good steward of the environment, of his government and his community.  He had a healthy spiritual life. He loved to travel. He specially loved Native American traditions and ceremonies. He built several sweat lodges on his property and was happy to share them with other like-minded people. He spent his life self-employed in the construction business, an expert roofer and renovator. When he set his mind to something, nothing and no one could dissuade him. I knew as soon as I understood the fire had passed over his property he would not have fled.  I told one of my brothers “they will find him dead in his driveway with a hose in his hand.” He loved to read and write and he studied at length a cornucopia of topics.  I was often surprised at the breadth and length his knowledge spanned. I remember how he looked out for me as his seven-year-younger brother.  He would patiently try to teach me things!  He had a big wonderful belly laugh that he often used. He was a very handsome man at 6’ 4” with silver hair and mustache. His big hands easily played the piano. He was special in so many ways.  People have been telling me his story in their lives.

Dear Brother, this is such a catastrophic, unbelievably sad end to your story! I still can’t wrap my head around it.  You had many verses left to write Robert.

I love you! I will always miss you. Cheers!

R.I.P.
Robert Edward Sharpe
Born October 12th, 1952
Perished December 29th 202169 years young!

Milton David “Milt” Sharpe Obituary

Born: April 19, 1959
Died: November 12, 2023            

Milt Sharpe was born in Denver, CO, the youngest of the six children of Reverend William S. and Thelma E. Sharpe who were missionaries in the Pillar of Fire Church. He grew up on the Church’s campus in Westminster, just north of Denver, known by all as “Belleview.” He attended elementary school and two years of high school at Belleview. He also attended high school at the church’s eastern headquarters in Zarephath, NJ.  He graduated from Westminster High School in 1977.

Milt first worked in roofing and construction with his older brothers and their partners in Colorado.  He moved to San Diego, CA in 1985, and became an expert in all areas of home remodeling. He was loved by those homeowners who repeatedly asked him to do additional work on their homes. Milt met Donna Cash in 1984, and they were married in 1985. They took a month-long honeymoon in Germany where Gerald purchased them a Volkswagen bus in which they spent time touring Germany.

Milt and Donna lived both in Denver and San Diego and made many friends in both areas. After their divorce Milt continued to live in San Diego. He loved to travel and even took a vacation in the Philippines in December of 2018, spending two weeks touring the country with Gerald.

On April 20, 2021, just one day after his 63rd birthday, Milt was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a disease that progressively requires more and more oxygen to survive. His doctors estimated at the time that he would live two to five years.

Milt was admitted to the UC San Diego Medical Center, Hillcrest on October 24, 2023.  He signed himself out of Hillcrest over dissatisfaction with care and checked into the UCSD La Jolla, California Hospital at 6:30 pm on October 24. He was transferred to CCU Hillcrest Hospital on November 1^st.

Milt joined his Creator on November 12, 2023. He was predeceased by his mother and father, by two of his brothers: Stanley M. Sharpe, due to covid on December 14, 2021; and a second brother, Robert E. Sharpe in the terrible Boulder, CO fire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Milt is survived by his oldest brother, Gerald and his partner Mae Figueroa of the Philippines; sister, Eileen Fournier and husband Ron of Wendell, NC; a brother, Charles Sharpe, of Longmont, CO; stepmother Elaine Sharpe, of Arvada, CO; a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews; as well as many dear friends. Milt’s ashes will be buried beside his parents and his brother, Robert, in the Belleview Cemetery on Sunday, September 8 at 4:00 pm.

COMMENTS FROM RESPONDENTS

Thank you for forwarding this information regarding the memorial for Robert and Milt. I was pleased to learn that their remains will be interred in the Belleview cemetery with their parents. I didn’t know your brothers personally as we had left the church when they were young kids. But I’d like to mention something that impressed me greatly about Robert. When my dad passed in 1983, Robert sent a very nice hand-written tribute in which he remembered how my dad always took the time to help him as a young boy fix anything on his bike that needed fixing. This seemed to have made a lasting impression on Robert in his memory of my dad. When I first read this, I became teary-eyed as it was so poignant. I may not be participating in your memorial, but I just wanted to mention Robert’s tribute and how much it meant to me. And I applaud you for arranging this memorial for your two dear brothers. Best regards, Ed Staats

What a beautiful memorial you have created and thoughtful dedications/services you are planning for your dear brothers, Robert and Milton.  How kind to include all of us who have suffered so much in this loss, but especially your family. While I won’t be able to attend, please know that I will be with you all in spirit and plan to visit the memorial at Marshall Trailhead one day soon.  I will offer gratitude for their generous spirits in this lifetime. Wishing you peace and comfort during this tender time, Jody.

I didn’t know Robert very well, but I always saw him out dancing in Boulder at the outdoor music in the summer. And interestingly, he also was at my grandfather’s, Ellsworth Bradford’s, funeral in 2010 and he said hi to me there too. My parents were Sylvia Bradford and Jim Snelling — but they left the church when I was 3 1/2. I also saw the plaque at the Marshall trailhead a few weeks ago (I live in Louisville and was evacuated but fortunately didn’t lose my place). It’s a beautiful memorial to Robert and all the people affected by that devastating fire. Thank you, Cathy.

I am unable to attend your service, but I attended your beautiful memorial on Zoom last year. I send my sympathy for the tragic loss of your two brothers. May they be at peace and may your family find peace & support in your grieving.   Blessings, Sylvie 

I will not be able to attend the memorial service as I am out of town and internet range.  As a friend of Roberto’s, it is beyond wonderful to honor him and those who lost so much in the Marshall fire with a memorial marker at the trail head.  I very much look forward to seeing it.  It is a great gesture in such a beautiful spot that many will be able to value, recognize, and pay tribute in remembrance. It’s hard to even imagine the difficulty of what your family is faced with needing to perform not one but two memorial services.  Again, it is beyond wonderful and beautiful to honor them so.  Appreciate the invitation and service. Best wishes in strength and peace moving forward, thank you.  Janet

I am replying to this email because I was just playing my mountain dulcimer and it came to mind, again to reply. I failed to do so in the past because I was not close to him. Why now? Why keep coming to mind? I do not know. I only know that I need to reply to you that I will not be there. I met Robert once personally. We had one date. After that I saw him again at other community events but we never met again on a personal level. So, when I heard that he had died, in the fire, trying to save family’s historical records, I cried. Thats how powerful a life can be. Even now, after all these years, I am compelled to respond even though I choose not to be there because I did not know him that well. I have no other story to tell except that I met him, once. Who am I? No one. But, he was a force to be reckoned with. Yours truly, Susanne