Robert Eugene De Jong, 75, passed away on December 11, 2025.
Born to Gary and Mildred De Jong, Robert lived life with a throttle-down approach—working hard, having fun, and never taking himself too seriously. He built his career in ornamental steel sales, owned and operated a fabrication shop, and was a building owner, but titles never mattered as much to him as the people he met along the way.
Robert was known for his quick wit, easy laughter, and ability to turn strangers into friends—especially if racing was involved. Growing up around the drag strip, racing became a lifelong passion. From NASCAR weekends to fantasy league victories, sponsoring dwarf car and sprint car racing, or simply talking shop with anyone who shared the love, racing was his universal language. If you liked racing, you were instantly his buddy.
Robert could often be found flashing a thumbs-up and saying “yeah baby” or “you go turbo.” He believed in working hard and playing hard—but never too much of either. He was generous by nature, especially after a few drinks, and well known for his big tips and even bigger heart.
Robert was preceded in death by his girlfriend, Mary Junk. He is survived by his sons, Rob and Ryan De Jong, as well as his grandchildren, Keith and Cyrie De Jong.
A Celebration of Life memorial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
In addition, a gathering of close friends and family will take place at 12:00 p.m. noon on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Peak Bowl Bowling Alley, 2861 N Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907—because Robert would absolutely approve of celebrating life with laughter, stories, and good company.
He will be remembered for his humor, generosity, love of racing, and the way he reminded everyone around him to enjoy the ride.