Another year. Again, Bobby, you are in my heart. Now Teddy is somewhere in your realm.

Hi Bobby. Happy Birthday, old friend.

Still think of you Bobby Rappel.  In my memories.

Big Owl Road, Allenspark, St. John, Cedarview, holidays with Otto and Margaret...it brings smiles to remember. We were all so young back then and felt so ageless. Now I spend each day with folks who are facing death at the door and your spirit helps me guide them. Your hugs are felt forever!!

Remembering you on your birthday Bobby. Your old friend Teddy from White Plains recently joined you in whatever comes next.
Happy Birthday Bob.

Bob was a patient of mine for the last 7 years. Both I and my staff were always happy to see him on the schedule. He really brightened our day and oftentimes we would spend a majority of the office visit just shooting the bull. We will all miss seeing him.

I knew Bobby since he was about 12, when his Dad married my sister Ann and they all moved to White Plains, New York. His Dad was a Captain of large cargo ships for US Lines going first to Europe and later the Far East when the Viet Nam War heated up. I thought Bobby turned out very well, considering that his father was away most of the time. I know that his dad would have been very proud of the man he evolved into: talented, independent, family oriented and caring. Others have written about Bobby's many talents (and maybe i should switch to calling him "Bob") . I think it is obvious that his greatest legacy, however is in his three children and numerous grandchildren, of whom he was very proud. They will continue to honor him by being caring, family oriented and independent people.

I met Posey in the 1970s in Allenspark when I was there living and playing with Magic Music. I never knew him as Bob. He was a true 'mountain man' - dashing, strong and kind. I think he got the old 1948 Ford truck that I gave to Will Luckey. I remember seeing it after Posey had rebuilt it and it was 'cherry' - as we used to say at the time. He and Linda were part of the community of folks that revolved in and around Otto and Maggie, Magic Music, the Hummingbird Cafe and AP and Estes Park. He always had a kind word and a helping hand to lend ... he was a 'gentleman' in an era when that was a meaningful designation of respect and honor. Though I lost touch with him over the years I will always cherish the times we spent together. Miss you dear friend. Chris Daniels

I knew Bob back in White Plains - junior high and high school. He was the boyfriend of Karen Sonn who was my friend and neighbor. Bob lived in my neighborhood in White Plains. In the crazy late 60s, Bob was a good friend of my dear brother Teddy and they frolicked around the country together - getting up to no good for sure. I never lost track of Bobby Rappel. Sometimes in the late 80s and on through the decades, he took to phoning me and became a good phone friend. We kept up with each other. I heard about his life and his family and his dreams and plans. I kept him up to date on his friend Ted and on my life raising my son. I did finally get to see Bob again after all those years - just a few years ago I made the trek out to Estes. Bobby, I think of your spirit waiting for all of us.

Bob, Posey, Friend, roommate, and teacher; we met way back in 1968 when we shared a basement apartment on Arapahoe Street in Boulder. I was working construction and on my way to Western State College in the fall. Since Gunnison is too cold for construction in the winter, you showed me how to make a watchband I couldn’t afford for myself. Folks in Gunnison liked the structural concepts you taught me and wanted things for themselves like watchbands, belts, purses, backpacks, etc. Making these items on my desk after classes helped me afford the gas for my TR-4 to travel to Boulder every weekend to date Kimball my life partner and wife. This leather business kept us busy with numerous stores and manufacturing for the last 45 years and continues to this day.
As we traveled our paths through life, we never lost touch and your friendship, opinions, and philosophies influenced me and everyone that was privileged to know you. The scope of your interests never ceased to amaze me. I watched you master leather manufacturing, classic car restoration, upholstery, mechanics, animal husbandry, horseback riding, hiking, farming, operating the Munchin’ House with Serena’s help, log construction for residential and commercial use, becoming a great father to your kids, and finally growing old way before your time. This too you bore with grace and a positive attitude that made your passing a lesson to all of us who must follow. Though you are and will be missed; Go in Peace, friend.

I knew Bobby during the years when we were both trying to figure out who we were. In this, I think he was a little further along than I was. During the two years in the late sixties when we were regular associates and friends, Bobby was already working with the idea that he could live an authentic life, without pretense, close to the ground. Reading his brief bio in the Estes Park News obituaries, I gather that he carried out his life plan successfully. I applaud him.

It seems to me that Bobby hated "black boxes"; that is, he wanted to be able to understand, make, and repair every implement, article, or device he needed or used. He was a very clever and intelligent young man, and was on his way to doing this when I knew him. 

Bobby loved music, and used it, I think, to fuel his imagination in discovering what his life was to be about. The more elemental and iconoclastic the music was, the better he liked it. Consequently, he was a big Johnny Winter fan, and loved most blues music, white, black, or albino. I don't believe he ever played a Monkees record. 

Bobby was also very strong willed. Some might have said stubborn and mule-headed, and did at times. I would prefer to say that he was about as self-directed an individual as I have ever known, and in this, furnished a sturdy example to a young guy like me, who at the time was being blown hither and thither by the variable winds of post-adolescence. 

Some of the things that Bobby, Les, I, and others of our group did during those brief years long ago would probably not pass muster if mentioned here. We were each, to some extent, outlaws. In Bobby's case, his outlawry, such as it was, originated from his very deep and essential belief in himself, to the exclusion of any external rules. I should also say that Bobby never fingered anything that wasn't his, and was tender, non-violent, and protective, even in impetuous youth. I am sure these qualities emerged fully as his life progressed. 

I am saddened to hear of Bobby's passing, but glad also, in that I am sure he accomplished his mission here on earth.

I met Bob, "Posey", the same time that I met my husband Les in the summer of 1968. They were roommates in Boulder and shared a house with Jeff Maxwell and Charlie Brown. Les and I began dating long distance, he in Gunnison and I in Boulder, and money was needed to commute every weekend to see me. Bob showed Les how to make a leather watchband and from there it blossomed to belts and handbags to sell to friends for traveling money. This was the beginning of a life long occupation for us in the leather business. Thanks to Bob we went on to owning a leather manufacturing business and several leather stores in CO an NM.

We lived part of one winter across the street from Bishop's Gallery in Allenspark. Bob was living there and I helped him sew way too many fringed leather vests! Our first born was just an infant at the time but her first stuffed animal was named "Posey" after Bob.

Les and I were amazed when Bob and Linda delivered Serena and later Beau at home without a doctor or midwife.

Bob was a good friend for many years. He fathered wonderful kids and was a very good business man. We will truly miss you Bob!

Bob was a good friend. This is certainly attested to by his many lifelong friends from his early years. He was indeed as others have noted a good listener and a good advice giver. We became friends at a time in my life when I needed someone who listened well and gave good advice. We not only became good friends but Bob also invited me to share his home with him. It was a beneficial situation for both of us. Among many things, I am now a much better cook thanks to being exposed to Bob’s culinary skills. We spent countless hours by the fireplace in Bob’s living room listening to music, telling stories from our pasts, debating what to have for supper and discussing the problems of the day. It all ended far too soon!

During my time in college, I was a member of a men's chorus. We often sang a song about friendship. The lyrics were from a poem by Botsford.

        O sweeter than the honey well,
          Deep in the sweetest rose of June,
        And all sweet things the tongue can tell
          On clover-scented afternoon,
        Is friendship that has lived for years
        Through fortune, failure, and through tears.
        May he who bears its sacred trust
          Be swarted like the rafters are
        That shelter him, eternity
          May hold few jewels half so rare!
        And may God find for such a friend
        Some sweeter slumber in the end.

I am fortunate to have had Bob as my friend!

Posey was a very handsome man, a mixture of Brad and Marlon. I was very proud to have a brother in law like him and I am proud that my kids and I are part of his family. He is with Benny and Boogs now.

Your spirit is in the spirit world now, looking down at all of us from above. Our journey thru life was full of ups and downs, but we kept our friendship to the end. It makes me proud to have had you as a life long friend.

I taught Bob's grandchildren (Kiana & Gabe) about 10 years ago, and got to know Bob soon after when I started working with him & Serena at the Munchin House. I remember being a bit intimidated by him at first, with his New York style (I'm a delicate Southern girl), but I quickly saw his sweet heart and got to love his soft side. As Serena felt like a sister, he felt like a father. I remember laughing about crazy customers and employees, and listening to music while we worked (John Prine comes to mind. He introduced me to one of my favorites: Angel from Montgomery). I remember being invited to yummy meals at his house, and hearing all about his fix it skills. I admired him for being such an entrepreneur and being so good with people. He'd sit outside the store watching people and talking to anyone who would stop and talk. I remember thinking he worked too much, & needed to slow down, and it sounds like his health forced him to do so. I hope these past few years were relaxing and rich for him and his family. I'm sad that I won't get to see him when I visit Estes this summer, my first visit in 6 yrs.

Dad, your legacy will live on in all of us. Although we knew your health wasn't the best the past couple years, we still thought we had more time. You are gone too soon. Thank you for sharing your passions in life...living in the mountains, cooking, making holidays magical, doing your best and learn if you don't know how and especially being outdoors and having music such a big part of growing up. I'll remember watching you restore cars while you listened to our problems, then you'd sing along to the radio and you always gave good advice. One thing you always used to say is; "you are the only person you have to live with for the rest of your life". Be proud of your life Dad, you lived a great one!

Hey Posey...We grew up in those wonderful 70's in Allenspark with so many children of the 60's. Those are unique times and special people. You are one of the most special and kept our friendship alive all these many years with phone calls out of the blue. Your kids became my adopted family back then. May you forever ride your paint pony in those glorious mountains. Say hi to Otto for me!