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Robert Jursnick Obituary
Robert "Bob" Loren Jursnick
June 27, 1945 - October 28, 2017
We mourn the loss and celebrate the life of our dearly beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend, Bob Jursnick, who has begun the next step of his life's journey.
Bob was the proud grandson of Irish and Slovenian immigrants who settled in Montana. He was the third son born to Frank and Anna Mae (Rodgers) Jursnick in Butte on June 27, 1945. Bob grew up hunting and fishing with his dad and brothers in the mountains of southwest Montana. He graduated from Butte High School and obtained a bachelors' degree in History from Montana State University in Bozeman. He also graduated from the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Minnesota.
His career included extensive travels and began with the American Red Cross. He received training at Travis Air Force Base in California before being sent to South Vietnam as an Assistant Field Director for several military bases in Thailand and South Vietnam for 18 months during the Vietnam War. His next assignment took him to Stuttgart, Germany, at U.S. European Command Headquarters. In 1973, Bob accepted a position in Denver as a Field Representative serving all Red Cross Chapters in southern Colorado. He progressed to become the Executive Director of the Montana Red Cross Chapter in Great Falls, Assistant to the Executive Vice President at American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., followed by Executive Director positions at the Seattle-King County Red Cross Chapter, and then the St. Paul, Minnesota Red Cross Chapter & Blood Bank Service. He also served on numerous disaster assignments, including Operation Babylift, which brought Vietnamese babies to the U.S. following the end of the Vietnam War, Hurricane Iniki in Hawaii, and the Big Thompson Flood in Colorado.
In 1995, he became the Executive Director of USA Shooting at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and attended the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta with his team. He then served 10 years as the Executive Director of the National Strength & Conditioning Association, where he expanded the organization's presence within the United States, Italy, Japan and China. He also oversaw the expansion of the NSCA's headquarters to a new location in Colorado Springs before retiring in 2010.
Bob loved being outdoors and skiing, hiking, and biking with his family and friends. Embracing his adventurous spirit, in 2014, he and four friends embarked on a 500 mile pilgrimage walk called the Camino de Santiago, from St. Jean, France, over the Pyrenees Mountains, and across Spain.
He met the love of his life and fellow Red Cross Field Director, Valerie May, in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1973 and they were married in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in 1974. They were blessed with two wonderful sons, Christian and Sean. Bob met life's challenges with courage and determination and will forever be known for his love of family, strength, courage, honesty, and humor.
Bob is survived by his devoted wife Valerie, loving sons Christian and Sean, Sean's wife Jennifer, and the delight of his life, grandson Leo. Jursnick family members who mourn his loss are: nieces Julia Elizondo (Victor), Jill Cleary (Tom), and Sherry Robinson (Gary); nephew Dan Jursnick, sister-in-law Gayle Nichols, great-nieces Ashleigh, Nicole, and Rebecca; and great-nephews Josh, Brandon, Sean, and Patrick. He is also survived by May family members: sisters-in-law Cynthia Boudwin (Steve), Jennifer Stuth, and Hilary Stauber (John), along with brothers-in-law Jeff May (Tracy) and Tim May (Debbie), and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Mae, brothers Jim and Dan, nephew Mark Jursnick, and Valerie's parents, Leon and Elsie May.
The Jursnick family extends its heartfelt appreciation to RockyMountain Cancer Center, Compassus Palliative & Hospice Care, Gentle Shepherd Home Care, St. Francis of Assisi Parish family members, and countless friends and neighbors for their love, support, and caring during Bob's journey.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 2, at 4:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2650 Parish View, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. A dinner and celebration of Bob's life will follow in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs 14 West Bijou St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903, or Esophageal Cancer Action Network, Inc. (ecan.org), PO Box 243, Stevenson, MD, 21153.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Jursnick
Renee Donaldson
October 26, 2020
Bob was a great administrator and an all around great guy! I feel blessed to have worked with him! He is missed!!
Bob&Molly Wolensky
November 5, 2017
Our deepest sympathies to Val, Christian, Sean and other members of the family. Bob was a great guy who was always a pleasure to be with. We well recall our most recent get together in Florida a year and a half ago, at lunch with the kids and Magoo. He was also a great inspiration in dealing with his health difficulties. No doubt he is missed, but he is also celebrated.
Renee Donaldson
November 5, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was truly a remarkable man with a terrific sense of humor. I truly enjoyed working for him and will never forget the accomplishments he made to the NSCA. My sincere condolences to Valerie and the Jurnick family!
Monica Manning
November 4, 2017
Val, Christian, Sean and family: You have my deepest sympathy. The world is less bright without Bob's great smile and warmth in it. Bob touched so many lives. I was fortunate to be among those who knew him well as he was leading the St Paul Red Cross. He was admired across the country by other Red Cross leaders. All I had to do was say I was on the St Paul Red Cross Board, and they opened their hearts and worlds to me. He had so many gifts and shared them generously. The one I most want to call out is that Bob was a man of integrity. He knew the principles upon which he stood; he acted on them even when that introduced significant risk to him. I am so grateful to have served on the board when Bob was our leader. He embodied excellence in leadership. And at the same time, he was a wonderful, caring friend.
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November 4, 2017
Val, Christian, Sean and family: You have my deepest sympathy. The world is less bright without Bob's great smile and warmth in it. Bob touched so many lives. I was fortunate to be among those who knew him well as he was leading the St Paul Red Cross. He was admired across the country by other Red Cross leaders. All I had to do was say I was on the St Paul Red Cross Board, and they opened their hearts and worlds to me. He had so many gifts and shared them generously. The one I most want to call out is that Bob was a man of integrity. He knew the principles upon which he stood; he acted on them even when that introduced significant risk to him. He brought out the best in those of us who worked with him. I am so grateful to have served on the board when Bob was our leader. He embodied excellence in leadership. And at the same time, he was a wonderful, caring friend.
Wendy Silva
November 3, 2017
Bob was a part of my life over 16 years. He was my boss (even though it was more like working for my father) and my dear friend. He had a special bond with my husband as well as my two boys and was a great support through two of the most challenging times in our lives. I am grateful to have known him. He will be missed.
Patrick Conway
November 2, 2017
Will be missed thank you for all you did. A full life that contributed so much for so many.
Jane Acosta
November 2, 2017
I had the pleasure of working for Bob at the NSCA. He was truly a great leader and person to work for because he was such a good human being! I was very sad to hear of his passing and my sincere condolences to Val and family.
Jeff and Lita Evrard
November 2, 2017
Valerie, Christian, Sean and family-
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you all these past several days. Our hearts break for your loss, however, knowing Bob is no longer in pain and no doubt sitting at Jesus' knee, gives a sense of peace! God Bless all of you and know that your Angel in heaven watches over you . Love, Jeff and Lita Evrard and Family
Greg Haff
November 1, 2017
Bob
You will be greatly missed by all of us. You were an important part of the history of the NSCA and even after you retired you were still there for us. I will miss your friendship greatly.
Our hearts and prayers are with your family as we honour your memory
With love
Greg Haff
November 1, 2017
It is with greatest sadness we found out of Bob's passing. He was an outstanding Executive Director that we so enjoyed working with. His leadership, optimism, kindness and caring about people made him a unique human being in the world we live in today. Words are not enough to extend our deep sympathy to his family and prayers that they may get through this difficult time. He impacted so many people so positively and was just a good human being beyond belief. Again our prayers are with his wife and family at this time. We grieve with you. Bill and Joan Kraemer
Francis Neric
November 1, 2017
Bob, you were a good man with an incredibly large heart. I want to thank you for believing in me. Your compassion and generosity has touched so many. God's speed, brother.
Meg and Mike Stone
November 1, 2017
Dear Val and Family, We enjoyed getting to know Bob through the NSCA and were saddened to hear of his loss, he will be dearly missed.
Meg and Mike Stone
Steve and Deb Moritz
November 1, 2017
Dear Val and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Bob was a wonderful man and we loved him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Vicki Doyle
November 1, 2017
Dear Val and family, thinking of you during this time. I enjoyed working with Bob at NSCA and loved his wonderful sense of humor!! I can still hear him say, "Oh, Miss Vicki!" after I made some kind of sarcastic comment. He will be dearly missed.
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