Robert Edward Willard passed away peacefully September 5, 2025, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Bob was the oldest of four children, born October 27, 1946, in Topeka, Kansas, to Harry Edward and Margaret Lorraine Willard and attended schools and impacted people in California, New York, Greece, Japan, Alabama and many more places as the son of an Air Force family. Bob graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree and from Southern Illinois University with a Master’s in Business Administration.
Bob loved aviation and earned his private pilot’s license while at Auburn University. Owning his own airplane, he and Margaret traveled extensively. Upon graduation from Auburn, he was commissioned in the United States Army and served in Vietnam as both a helicopter pilot and a combat engineer. Bob earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal and Bronze Star among many other honors.
The military brought Bob and his family to Colorado Springs where, upon leaving the Army, Bob started his career as a certified financial advisor and real estate developer. His development of Gold Hill Mesa became his passion and he leaves behind that community as his lasting legacy. Bob was a founding member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors serving as its president and on the Board of Directors for many years.
Bob committed himself to serving the Colorado Springs community through volunteer efforts, two of his favorites being the Colorado Thirty Group and his children’s various sporting and academic activities through elementary, junior high and high school.
The love of his life was Margaret, his wife of 57 years. They were married September 1, 1968, and shared travel, bridge, skiing and social gatherings. Bob loved hunting, fishing and most of all golf, traveling all over the state, country and world to play various golf courses with friends and family. Two of his favorite golfing trips were to St. Andrews in Scotland.
Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children: Michael (Krista), Tiffany (Khurram Khan) and Daniel (Agata); and eight grandchildren: Morgan, Jacob, Aleena, Tyler, Zakaria, Samir, Ryley and Lily. Bob is also survived by his brothers, Steven and Gregory, and their spouses; his brother and sister in-law, Philip and Mary Ogden; and many extended family members. His sister, Dawn, predeceased him.
The family is hosting a celebration of Bob’s life at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, on September 24, 2025, at 1 p.m. with reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.