Robert John Primus

Robert John Primus passed away September 11, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.

Robert (Bob) was born June 21, 1931, to John and Esther Primus in Marshalltown, Iowa, and had fond memories of playing with his 22 cousins on the family farm and riding in his grandfather’s horse-drawn buggy. Bob’s childhood was mostly spent in the Midwest, where Bob’s father, the first of his family to pursue higher education, taught at various colleges. When Bob was thirteen, his sister, Barbara, was born, and two years later, in 1946, the family moved to Denver. Bob graduated from South High in 1949.

Bob met his future wife, Constance (Connie) Merrill, at Central Presbyterian Church, and they were married there on December 27, 1952. Later Bob and Connie were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Lakewood, the First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown, and Wellshire Presbyterian Church. Throughout his life, Bob was a very active church member, serving as an elder and on various church committees.

Bob served in the US Army for sixteen months in Korea in 1954-1955, working to maintain the telephone cable from Busan to Seoul before he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class. After his service, Bob finished his degree in marketing and sales at the University of Denver, graduating in 1957. After doing sales work for several firms, Bob started his own company, Primus Marketing, Inc., and enjoyed a successful career selling products across the Front Range. Bob was always proud of never having had a base salary: any good salesman, he’d often say, should be able to live on commission alone.

Son David arrived in 1957, followed by son Chris in 1961. Bob, always the family man, enjoyed taking his family on driving vacations and introducing his boys to skiing and camping. Georgetown, Colorado, was an especially beloved place for Jeeping, picnicking, and exploring.

Once their boys grew up, Bob and Connie took many trips abroad, touring many different countries, from China to France. Bob, a lifelong map lover, took on the role of trip navigator, carefully marking maps and planning routes. He was also an avid photographer who enjoyed presenting slide shows of the trips. After Bob retired in 1997, he and Connie built a home in Georgetown and lived an active, full life there for nineteen years. Bob was a member of various town boards, volunteered at the visitor center, and was a founding member of the Devil’s Gate History Club in Georgetown. In 2016, Bob and Connie moved back to the Denver metro area.

Bob is survived by his wife of 72 years, Connie, his sons Dave (Carol) and Chris (Lisa), his sister, Barbara, five grandchildren, Jordan, Kristin, Miriam, Quincy, and Lily, and one great-grandchild, Merrill. His grandson Baxter predeceased him. Contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown or Historic Georgetown, Inc.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown on September 30, 2025, at 11:00 am. Coffee and fruit will be served between 10:00 and 11:00 am. If coming from Denver, please be aware of I-70 construction delays.