Robert Hughes Obituary

Hughes
Robert Howard Hughes
June 28, 1937
April 10, 2025

Beloved husband, father, professor, and friend — "Dr. Bob" was a small-town Kansas boy whose journey led him to an extraordinary life filled with family, laughter, and meaningful work.
Bob earned a football scholarship to the University of Colorado after being named a high school All-American offensive guard. He was a proud member of the 1957 Orange Bowl-winning CU Buffaloes, even if, as he liked to say, his playing time was "limited."
After college, he returned to Kansas City to work as a social worker, where he later met Lynne Salisbury on a blind date. They married on August 10, 1963, beginning a joyful 61-year partnership.
A lifelong believer in civic engagement, data, and the power of ideas, Bob built a career that bridged academia, politics, and meaningful partnerships. "Professor Bob" helped found and grow the Sociology Department at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
His academic work later expanded to include criminology and political theory, with a particular fascination for the nuts and bolts of political campaigns. That passion wasn't just theoretical — he crossed party lines to help run his brother Bill's first campaigns for the CO State Legislature and dove headfirst into the evolving world of voter data, which eventually wore off on his two sons. Together with Lynne, he co-founded and led the Colorado branch of Voter Contact Services (VCS), a pioneer in national voter file technology and outreach.
But Bob is most fondly remembered for who he was at home: a devoted husband, present father, and quiet force of wisdom. Evenings at the Hughes house were a whirlwind of neighborhood games like Kick the Can, and the backyard earned its legendary status as the site of the infamous "Junior Olympics" — complete with homemade hurdles and high-jump mats fashioned from the kids' mattresses. The driveway hoop — proudly nicknamed the Bob Hughes Memorial Basketball Court — hosted endless games of neighborhood hoops.
Bob was always eager to give his kids every opportunity to explore, even if it meant stepping far outside his comfort zone. Whether it was skiing trips, mountain hikes, or horseback riding, he was game. One particularly memorable outing ended with Bob being unceremoniously tossed from a horse, resulting in a broken coccyx — a story that still brings tears of laughter to his sons' eyes. If it meant creating memories, Bob was all in — injuries, pride, and all.
He is survived by his wife Lynne, his brother Edward "Skip" Hughes, sons Scott and Craig, his wife Sarah, grandchildren Lauren, Lexi, Jack, Ryan, and Olivia, and great-granddaughter Kinsley. He is preceded in death by Brother Bill and Sister Mona Jean.
A celebration of Bob's life is being planned, and details will be shared with loved ones soon.