my Dad - Rob Sinn-Penfold

                                                     March 22, 1938 - February 10, 2016

The only thing I wrote during the past year and a half is this obituary. (My sister did some editing.)

                                     My Dad was a great guy and I miss him very much.

Rob Sinn-Penfold, husband of Paula Sinn-Penfold and father of Haley Sinn-Penfold, passed away at his home in Boulder on February 10. He was 77. Born on March 22, 1938, Rob was the oldest of Dr. B.M. and Ruth Sinn’s three children and a Colorado resident for 77 years.

Rob grew up in Limon, CO, married Karen (Skinner) Sinn in 1956 and attended Colorado State University. His daughter Lorin (Robyn) Sinn-Clark was born in 1957, his son Kirk Sinn in 1959. Rob graduated with a BS in (the degree) then taught high school Science and Auto Mechanics in Ordway, CO for four years. He earned a MS in (the degree) from the University of Oregon in Corvallis in 1966 then moved to Boulder where he taught middle and high school Science for the next 27 years. He retired in 19XX..

Rob was a talented and dedicated teacher - the kind who challenged students and made a lasting impression. Even after he retired, it was not unusual for a past student to call or write to thank Rob for the impact he’d had on his or her life. The words “demanding” “tough” and “fun” have all been used, at times in the same sentence, to describe Rob’s teaching style.

His Eastern Colorado wheat farm was one of the loves of Rob’s life. It was also the source of many days and nights of back breaking work, sweat and challenge. Rob personally farmed those 640 acres for 50 years; his last harvest was in 2012.  

Rob was a firm, at times impatient perfectionist with high standards for those he loved. He was also one of the most caring men many who knew him have met. It was important to Rob that his children have life skills and that his family – including extended family – be well taken care of. He gave of himself tirelessly to make those things happen. There was also a sense of fun about Rob that those who knew him when they were young remember fondly. As his nephew Ward Penfold wrote in a letter to Rob, “with you we could be fighter pilots on Monday, cowboys and cowgirls on Tuesday, and train conductors on Wednesday – the possibilities were as endless as our imaginations.”   

Rob’s love for his family was equaled only by his love for animals. There was always a lucky dog, a spoiled cat (and later six very happy hens) who lived large under Rob’s vigilant, often indulgent care.

A consummate “Do-It-Yourself-er,” there was nothing Rob couldn’t do, build or fix once he set his mind to it. No task was too small nor challenge too big for him to take on and not only succeed, but excel at. “Hard worker” doesn’t begin to describe Rob; the results of his work were consistent and often amazing. Once asked what animal he would describe himself as, Rob replied, “An ox – strong shoulders toiling unfailingly under the yoke of whatever the task at hand.”  

Rob was an avid reader and historian with a memory for details. There were not many topics he wasn’t an expert on and when asked for, his advice was useful, thoughtful and thorough.    

Among the many other things Rob will be remembered fondly for are his love for Christmas, his elaborate holiday yard displays (including a bright red dump truck spilling huge gifts,) his “Go Buffs!” tail-gating panache, his enthusiastic multiple vehicle participation at the annual Longmont farm show and the Winter Solstice hay ride he treated an ever-growing number of neighbors to. Rob enjoyed a good road trip and he appreciated a fast, well-tuned machine. Some of the best time with Rob was spent in his garage, his hands busy, his wisdom being shared.   

Rob is described by those who knew him as “one of kind,” “fantastic,” “great,” “truly remarkable,” “awesome,” “larger than life,” and “incredible.” Rob lived a life of purpose and principle – a life that touched many and set an inspiring example – teacher, farmer, mechanic, carpenter, historian, mentor, friend – a deeply devoted family man who was much loved and will be sorely missed. As Ward aptly wrote, “It is hard to imagine someone getting more out of life or giving more back in return.”   

Preceded in death by his wife Karen and his parents, Rob is survived by his wife of 37 years, Paula; daughter Haley; daughter Lorin and her family, Ed Clark, Dylan and Sarah Clark, Emmi and Hugh Braselton; son Kirk Sinn and his family, Anne and Riley Sinn; brother Steve Sinn, wife Jan, their children and grandchildren; sister Cheryl Clanin, husband Jack, and their children and grandchildren.