Obituary of Bruce Marks

Bruce "Bob" Marks was born on November 3, 1946, and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. He was a small-town boy whose roots ran deep to the beautiful home he loved. In the fall of 1964, he left Charleston to attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Service, justice and love of country was in his soul. He never talked much about those obligations; he just fulfilled them. While in his "doolie" year at the Academy, Bob met Lilly Fireman, who was a senior at Denver's George Washington High School. After a few dates, they were “locked together” for their lives’ journey. They would have been married 50 years this coming September 6. Bob graduated from USAFA in 1968, and went straight to flight school before being sent overseas to fly AC130 gunships, first to Peru, where he flew rescue missions after the 1970 earthquake, and then in Vietnam. He loved flying but rarely discussed the war. His commitment to freedom, democratic institutions and social justice were woven into the fabric of his character. Upon his return home, Bob and Lilly moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he attended and graduated from UVA Law in 1976. Bob and Lilly returned to Colorado and in 1977 welcomed their first daughter, Lara. Three years later, in 1980, their second daughter, Deborah, was born. Bob served as corporate legal counsel for Mobil Oil and later opened his own practice providing corporate conflict mediation. He also taught several courses at University of Denver Law School. Bob was known to friends and family for his incredible sense of humor, his commitment to family, his patriotism, his love of the outdoors, his thirst for knowledge and discovery and his athleticism. An avid skier, cyclist and triathlete, he was always very fit and active. Starting in 2013 and in the span of 11 months, Bob became Granddad to three precious grandsons, Hwitley Williams and Samuel and Jackson Baker. It was a role that he cherished. Bob died on March 21, 2020, 55 years to the exact day he met Lilly, the love of his life. He gave everyone who knew him laughter, love and light, and he taught those closest to him how to honor their roots and cherish their wings. A memorial service in his honor will be scheduled for a future date. Contributions can be made to the University of Colorado Cancer Center.