Bob Robertson passed away at Shelf Road of a heart attack 1/31/25

I just heard this from a friend. I can't tell you how awful this is to us. We saw Bob and Staci at Roadside Crag in Phantom Canyon a little over a month ago. My friend Mick and I managed to get a new screw into Bob's belay glasses, for which he was thankful. Kicker of course was there, too.

I don't know anymore news than this. I just wanted to share the news now. 

Bob is a legend. Shelf Road, the South Platte, and Southern Colorado wouldn't be the same without his vision, commitment to development, and unending witticisms. He will be part of our climbing each time we see a red hanger (were they really bed frames or not, Bob?) and each time we wish there was another bolt on Suburbia. He truly enriched my climbing life. His loss will be felt widely within our community.

I will miss him dearly.

This is devastating. Bob’s (and Carrie’s) routes taught me how to be comfortable climbing outside, more of a baptism by fire if you will. I remember meeting Bob and Stacy out at the hot springs after a weekend at Shelf, my best buddy had just ordered his Phantom pamphlet. It was so fun to kick it and chat with a pioneer. I would see him from time to time at Shelf and the hot springs afterward. Bob was always friendly and approachable to us. He is an absolute legend in Colorado. Thank you for all you did for the climbing community, Bob. Rest in peace. 

I knew Bob from a long time ago and did many things with him. He had a nickname at the time as the cucumber because he was as cool as.

It always made my day to see Bob out at the crag.  He was a true inspiration to keep getting out and doing the things you love.  Southern Colorado won't feel the same without him.

I first met Bob in the Black, 1983. He was climbing with Earl and Art Wiggins and Mike O’Donnell. Bob was always super nice. I’ve enjoyed using Bob and Carrie’s guide pamphlets at many Colo areas and enjoyed climbing lots of their routes. I’m sorry to see him pass. 

I knew Bob for about 40 years. We climbed together, on and off, for about the last 20 years.  We put up about 45 routes together.  We climbed together at City Rock every Tuesday and Thursday morning for about the last 10 years.  Yeah, we were pretty close.  There's no way I'll be able to fill the hole left in my life by Bob's passing.

Bob was a legend in southern colorado climbing and gave so much of his time to route establishment. I’m grateful to have known him and been able to talk with him at those early morning gym sessions. He always seemed genuinely interested in people and was such a kind person. He left his mark on countless crags, and you always knew when you were on a Bob route when you saw his signature anchors or “bedframe” hangers. He was a true pioneer of the one-off crags and his presence will be deeply missed. Rest easy Bob, send on.

It's shocking to hear the news about Bob. My condolences his family and close friends.  The first time that I climbed with Bob was in the Garden of the Gods in 1974, when I was 15 years old. I remember aid climbing Kor's Korner with him in 1975.  Bob was almost always enthusiastic and had plenty of funny stories to tell to keep us all laughing. We climbed the first ascent of Mighty Thor together in 1979.

Bob was a very devoted climber and first ascentionist. It's amazing just how many routes he pioneered in the Pikes Peak region and at Shelf Road. 

He traveled to climb as well. I ran into him in Yosemite in 1981. 

I will always remember Bob riding his bike out to the Garden of the Gods to climb and the old VW bug he drove in the 1970s. I will always remember running into him at the Cactus Cliff at Shelf Road. His presence at the crags and his positive energy will be missed.

I offer my sincere condolences to Bob’s Family and many Friends.

RIP Bob, a Colorado climbing legend. Sincere condolences to all his friends and the whole Springs climbing community. I didn’t know him but I remember we met a time or two way back in the day at Shelf. We have enjoyed the fruits of Bob’s labors many times over the years. Last Friday was a beautiful sunny winter day at Shelf like so many other days Bob and Staci have no doubt enjoyed over the years. It was also a very sad and intense day.  It has always seemed so trite to me to say ‘he died doing what he loved’ but he certainly was doing what he loved that day. All the love to Staci- take care of yourself. 

We are having a memorial where smack will be spoken about Bob's climbing abilities and relative sense of taste. From City Rock's Facebook page:

We are sad to report that Bob Robertson, icon of the local climbing community, died on Friday, 1/31. He went out the best way we can imagine - between climbs at Shelf Road.Anyone who knew Bob would know that he wouldn't want us to waste time grieving him. So we are inviting all of you to come talk smack about him instead. Please join us to honor Bob's memory and trade Bob stories. The UTE will host a gathering of Bob's friends and fans on Saturday, February 15th, from 3 - 6 pm.We will have a mic available for those of you who want to share any of the many great Bob accomplishments or sly witticisms from his years of being a cherished member of our climbing community. All are welcome. The kitchen and bar will be open on a cash bar basis.

Memorial for Bob Robertson

Saturday, February 15th, from 3 - 6 pm.
City Rock/Ute and Yeti Bar
21 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Wow, what a shock. We had so many adventures together; Shelf Road, South Platte, Black Canyon and the Diamond.  He always pushed me to do my best. 

Thanks Bob for everything, you were a great friend and awesome climber, you pulled off some incredible climbing. 

Ed

I didn’t know Bob personally, although we used to see him at Shelf in the early days and we’ve climbed many of his routes over the years. He will always have a place in my heart now. With much love to his family and friends and gratitude to the other climbers and first responders who helped that day.

RIP, Bob.  Climbing to the end.  Not a bad way to go.  

Bob, back in the early days of Shelf on trad

Bob was one of Colorado Springs' most accomplished and talented climbers.  We will all miss him.  David Harrison 

Damn what a legend, and what a legendary way to go. Cheers Bob.

The peaceful passing of Bob Robertson. On Friday January 31, Bob and I headed down to Shelf for a day of climbing at the Piggy Bank. It was a beautiful day with perfect temps. Bob’s last climb was Pig City Nights, 5.8. He did a great job on the climb and felt fine when he came down. He was changing his shoes to follow me around the corner for our next route. I went back to check on him and found him on the ground with no pulse. I started CPR. With the help from other climbers in the area, CPR was continued for over an hour. Thank you Chris, Terri, Quinn and Rebecca. Bob was declared dead by medical responders when they arrived at the scene. The coroner stated that his cause of death was a cardiac event. I will miss my friend, climbing partner and mentor beyond words. I am so blessed to have learned the art of new route development from the best! Please join us on Saturday February 15 from 3-6 at CityRock to celebrate Bobs amazing life.

As an 81-year-old old guy, I'm acutely aware of the various ways of leaving this mortal coil.  Bob chose about the best option there is. He endures in the memory of his friends and family, who did not have to attend to a slow and painful decline.  Rest in peace Bob, and my condolences to family and friends, for whom the manner of his passing is scant consolation.

Tim Stich wrote:

We are having a memorial where smack will be spoken about Bob's climbing abilities and relative sense of taste. From City Rock's Facebook page:

We are sad to report that Bob Robertson, icon of the local climbing community, died on Friday, 1/31. He went out the best way we can imagine - between climbs at Shelf Road.Anyone who knew Bob would know that he wouldn't want us to waste time grieving him. So we are inviting all of you to come talk smack about him instead. Please join us to honor Bob's memory and trade Bob stories. The UTE will host a gathering of Bob's friends and fans on Saturday, February 15th, from 3 - 6 pm.We will have a mic available for those of you who want to share any of the many great Bob accomplishments or sly witticisms from his years of being a cherished member of our climbing community. All are welcome. The kitchen and bar will be open on a cash bar basis.

Memorial for Bob Robertson

Saturday, February 15th, from 3 - 6 pm.
City Rock/Ute and Yeti Bar
21 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

I would attend but will be recovering from ankle surgery but thought I would tell a quick story. We went winter camping and skiing at old monarch pass years ago. Bob drank too much vodka, which he rarely did , so I skied ahead and did a couple of runs. When he didn’t show up after awhile I went back for him. Found him and he had fallen down backwards on his pack and couldn’t get up and was turtling trying to get out of if and his bindings but was drunk and barely was able to do it but finally uprighted himself. I have some pictures at home I will post in a couple of days.