At the summit of Vail Pass two buses stop in
Robert “Treebob” Williams
received tutoring in English and math from Bob through the years. He and his wife opened their home many summers for non-resident students a rest area on a chilly, but sunny Presidents Day working internships in Denver. A renowned event weekend Friday morning. Nearing 60 people stagplanner, okay, party planner, Bob Williams was the ger and stretch going out into the air still in a center of leading scholarship fundraising events for sleepy stupor from an early morning departure his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, being a lifelong from Denver. A voice commands them to “move member. His legendary smoked turkey and salmon September 16, 1945 – December 12, 2013 together, so we can get this done and get back on is a delight at the annual Alpha White Linen event the road.” Click, click, snap, snap and the pictures each August. are taken. “Treebob was a master at smoking (food) and Such has been the routine for the last 25 years for you could smell that aroma everywhere, so you this group from across the country attending the knew it was good,” says Alpha fraternity brother annual Ski Bonanza organized by Robert Anderson Sam Peguese. “And after the event, the fight was Williams of the Denver Hampton University Alumni on for the flavorful turkey bones for soup,” he Association. Now, after raising more than $200,000 added. With his three backyard smokers, he’d also for scholarships that have benefitted 175 students, smoke turkeys and salmon for many friends for the founder of the event, Robert Anderson “Treebob” Thanksgiving Williams received his final lift ticket to a heavenly ski Bob supported numerous community causes trail on December 12 while playing golf in Florida, just and events, usually by purchasing tickets, tables a few days following a golf outing he’d organized for and direct contributions as he did with his early 60 people, while also in the midst of signups for the support of then statehouse candidate now Rep. 2014 ski trip. Jovan Melton, representing Aurora. Unselfishly, A native of Brooklyn, New York, like many other he’d share the tickets and tables with others, often Coloradoans, Bob with wife Constance transplantnot going himself. ed themselves to Denver in from Niagara Falls, “Bob talked a good game and loved playing New York. golf, but kept his scorecard close to the vest,” says Atlanta resident Deborah Strane reflected, “The fellow golfer Leon Gibson. “Although he kept his first time I met him, it was like someone you’ve card, he’d add it up and verbally tell you what he known all along and he knew how to have fun. He shot. Just taking it with a grain of salt. He wasn’t gave the ski trip a feel of a family reunion, facilitatcheating, just trying to keep up,” Gibson added ing introductions, new friendships and bonds. He with a chuckle. had a sixth sense for putting together non-judgTreebob’s legacy continues through his wife mental, down to earth people and didn’t care what Constance, son Robert Jr. and daughter Chawnte you did, nor your status back home, just how well Williams Howard, her husband Enrico and their chilyou mixed with the group. And when the trip was dren Micha and Joshua, along with a host of other over and you were leaving, you knew you were family and a literal legion of friends across America. coming back the next year.” In every community reside those who make a differWith his wife Constance, Williams early mornence, and others who can match or exceed them but ing power walks around Aurora’s Utah Park are very reserved about it. Bob Williams was one of became the stuff of neighborhood legend. One them. The community of real good fun now needs a morning a Parkside resident stood on the sidewalk new chair of the board, with big shoes to fill as Bob indicating she had to see who comprised this Williams has left the building. group. “I could hear them before I could see them Annually, the Epsilon Nu Omega Chapter of and they sounded like they were having such a Alpha Phi Alpha Sorority selects the unique group good time,” she stated. No question, they were another Treebob-led crew. On their 2012 Ski of 12 men for their M.O.D.E.L. (Men of Distinction, Excellence and Leadership) Service Awards Bonanza trip, Bob and a few skiers encountered U.S. Vice President Joe Biden near Aspen and of and recognized them in a calendar. The 2014 month of June M.O.D.E.L. man is Robert A. course Bob invited the VP to the ski trip, took a picture and posted it on his Facebook page with Williams. pride. True story. Yep, a perfect fit. No question. “Bob is good at keeping secrets, his, no one else’s,” long time friend and historic re-enactor - Adam Dempsey Steve Shepard laughingly states. “His favorite companion was Facebook so anything you told him Editor’s note: Denver Urban Spectrum publisher, Rosalind “Bee” Harris was a participant in the African might end up there,” he continued with a hearty chuckle. His service to the community wasn’t limited to the legendary ski trip. School students at Phillips American Leadership Institute Class of 1992 along with Robert “Treebob” Williams. She dedicates this issue to his memory. She is pictured below with “Treebob” at the recent Daddy Bruce Thanksgiving reception. and Crawford Elementary along with Hallet Academy in Denver and Aurora Public Schools
A Community Sequoia
Reception at Bogey’s. Epworth Foundation’s Annual “Daddy Bruce” Randolph Feed a Family Thanksgiving Program Events Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – January 2014
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