Robert Donner Jr.

About

Colorado College Yale University

Robert Donner Obituary

Businessman, philanthropist and sportsman Robert Donner Jr., died in Colorado Springs on January 13, following a long struggle with Leukemia (CLL). He leaves behind his devoted family and wife of 51 years, Joan Cogswell Donner. The longtime resident of The Springs was born in Buffalo, New York on September 25, 1930 to the late Robert and Margaret (Hunter) Donner. The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1939. He was an alumnus of Brooks School, Andover, MA, attended Yale University for two years and graduated from Colorado College in 1954. Of his military service he mentioned that as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 until 1956, his artillery battery "sent a lot of lead down range but none was in anger and no one got hurt." For more than years 20 years Bob's principal business interest was radio stations in Colorado Springs (KYSN), Denver (KIMN), Portland, and Laramie. He sold his interests in radio in 1975 to pursue other enterprises. Bob Donner was widely known and respected in the automotive world, having competed professionally throughout the country with great success in sports car racing driving Porsches. In addition to winning the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with Porsche 3 times, Bob also campaigned numerous drives at the Classic 12 Hours of Sebring with a onetime appearance for Chaparral Cars until finally settling with his favorite Prancing Horse, Ferrari. He was a Director of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb from 1979-1991, and President from 1988 to 1990. Bob was inducted into the Colorado Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He founded and served as President of the Rocky Mountain Region of the Ferrari Club of America. Bob was a dedicated member of the Boards of the family foundations established by his grandfather, William Henry Donner, serving the William H. Donner Foundation and the Donner Canadian Foundation for more than five decades. He was also Director of the First National Bank of Colorado Springs and its successors, Affiliated Bank and Bank One, 1966 - 1993, Ski Country USA, Denver, in the 1960s; the Webb Waring Lung Institute of Denver, Colorado College, 1969 -1993, and was a founding member of the "Wine Bibbers" in 1974, and numerous other clubs and organizations, with so many dear friends from around the world. Bob loved the Buffalo Bill Historic Center in Cody, Wyoming and was a long time member of its firearms board. To his children and grandchildren, " Papa was an extremely generous man who loved his family and friends. He was a competitor, a steady hand and sharp eye with pistol and shotgun, a successful businessman and well read on most everything, especially World War II military history. He liked his bacon crisp, flat and blotted, and his eggs just right, and don't forget the orange marmalade. He had a keen interest in anything that kept time, projected light or held a razor sharp edge. If it was sleek, fast and powerful, color casehardened, blued or checkered, it caught his admiring eye." He was preceded in death by his son Robert Donner, III, in 1989, and his sister Margaret (Donner) Spencer. He is survived by his wife, Joan (Cogswell) Donner, daughter Deborah Donner of Denver, son David William Donner and his wife Meredith Webber Donner of Colorado Springs. Five grandchildren; Brittany Donner Roy of Boston, Dillon Cogswell Roy of Denver, Alexa Caraway Donner, Ava Margaret Donner and Reeve Meredith Donner, all of ColoradoSprings. A memorial service will be held in Colorado Springs at Shove Chapel on the Colorado College campus on January 22 at 10:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Chapel of our Savior, 8 4th St., Colorado Springs, CO.,80906. Shove Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO., 80903.or the B-Chronic CLL program under direction of Dr. Neil E. Kay at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.. ***

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Jan. 17, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Donner

13 Entries

Bobby Rahal

February 11, 2010

To the Donner Family.

My sincerest sympathies to all of you on the passing of Bob. Such a generous man to me in the early stages of my racing career and more importantly such a wonderful guy. All of racing will miss him particularly those who had the privelege of knowing Bob.

With respect,

Sterling Penman, Jr.

January 23, 2010

Even though it's been quite a while since we worked with the Donner family, I have great memories of working with someone I respected. To Joan, Debbie, David and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Sincerely,
Sterling Allen Penman, Jr.

January 22, 2010

January 22,2010
Dear Joan, Debbie and David and family
We are saddened and sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was very much admired and respected for his accomplishments in Auto Racing and his love for the Pikes Peak Hill climb. As a well respectrd pillar of the community, he will be missed in the Colorado Springs area.
Our family got to share quality time with Bob and his two boys over the years at the Peak. As a friendly commpetior, great memories, we will miss him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Wally,Peppy Dallenbach and family

Chris Pague

January 20, 2010

Dear Joan, Debbie, and David,
Bob obviously loved so many things in life. His humor and wit will be among my memories. Bob's "bigness" was never more evident to me than through his philanthropy -- caring about all forms of life, even those that that crawl, fly, and climb. His support (and that of the family) for Prairie Wings and broader conservation efforts around the world have left a legacy that will be cherished throughout time. He is a model for my remaining time on Earth. Thank you, Bob. My thoughts are with you all.
Chris

tess

January 19, 2010

My heart is full of gratitude and sadness. I was fortunate in life to have known Bob Donner. We shared a similar passion, we both loved his son Bobby with all our hearts. I am consoled in his death to know they are once again united , racing through the pearly gates together. Even in the darkest hour, he was kind and caring, and showed me how to offer grace, even under undesirable circumstances.
I shall be forever grateful to call Joanie my friend, and that I am able to say Bob Donner was an influential person in my life. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the entire Donner family.

Joe & Billie Faricy

January 18, 2010

We were saddened to hear of Bobs passing. Your in our
thoughts and Prayers.

Errol Kobilan

January 18, 2010

I was very proud to know Bob Donner and his sons Bobby and David through racing hillclimbs. Besides being a kind and caring person he made me laugh at his story of going over to Europe with another couple and their Ferraris to drive the Autobahnen. A highway with no speed limit, they got pulled over for going too fast. And, it was hard for Joan to do any sightseeing at 180mph.
I will miss Bob as I do Bobby. God Bless them and all the family.

Alan Boe

January 18, 2010

Bob Donner was a wonderful man and a good friend. When our paths crossed because of our mutual interest in vintage Ferraris, he always had a warm greeting, a firm handshake, and a welcoming smile. He was, simply, a great man.

Mike Baker

January 18, 2010

Bob Donner will be missed by many! My fondest memory was being blessed to have Uncle Bob drive my wife and I from our wedding to our wedding reception in perhaps his most prized possession, his Duesenberg. Thanks Bob for being so cheerful, funny and so generous! - Mike Baker, Sara Cogswell Baker and Cohen William Baker, Lawrence, KS

January 18, 2010

Deear Debbie,

May the many warm memories of your father help ease the pain of this difficult time.
Warmly,
Stanley Goldstein

January 17, 2010

I am so sorry to hear of Bobs passing.
I admired and looked up to this great
man.
Tom Cleek

Tim Greenshields

January 17, 2010

Bob was so kind to my family. We both participated and planned many events for the Ferrari Club of America in the Rocky Mountain Region. I remember when Bob passed my Ferrari Dino 246GT at the Continental Divide Raceway in Castle Rock.....he was teaching me a lesson about driving the Ferraris! His long tail BB512 Ferrari blasted away and into the distance.

I am so sorry to hear of the lost of this wonderful man, friend, parent, community leader and racer. He will be missed. God Bless all of his friends and family.

Tim Greenshields
Ferrari Club of America and fellow racer
[email protected]

Kaz Mueller, Chaplain

January 17, 2010

The men and women of the Marine Corps League, Pikes Peak Detachment, are moved by the passing of Robert Donner, Jr., a comrade-in-arms. We offer our condolences and will remember him and your family in our prayers. Semper Fidelis.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results