Honoring the life and legacy of J. Robert “Bob” Young

Bob Young was and always will be one of my greatest heroes. I worked with Bob for over 33 years. I admired his style, his grace, his joie de vivre, his panache (his picture should be next to the word in the dictionary), and his extraordinary business acumen. His legacy forever was immortalized by LeRoy Neiman’s painting of Bob he titled, “The Fastest Banker Alive” – a testament to his passion for taking the checkered flag, not only as a banker, but also as a race car driver in his red Ferrari #21. I had a first-row seat as he beat everyone to the punch in the business world – how else to explain starting a $25 million bank in tiny Carbondale, Colorado, and growing it into the Alpine Bank behemoth, with nearly $7 billion in assets and over 40 branches throughout the state? – and as he beat all the other drivers to the finish line in the car-racing circuit! It was a privilege to watch him race and to watch him bank! But, that was Bob – he started small in the tiny hamlet of Spring Hill, Kansas, and he finished big: the figurative equivalent of Mount Olympus in everything he did. Through it all, he remained true to his humble roots, putting a young, nervous broker calling on J Robert Young, the Chairman and CEO of Alpine Bank, immediately at ease with his warmth and humility – and we became close friends in no time. Through the years, we spent hours talking about sports, about racing, and about his beloved Wichita State Shockers. And I think I finally turned him into a fan of the New York Yankees. He teased me mercilessly about my golf clubs – I really did have the ugliest driver ever created – and if I wasn’t riding with him in his Ferrari golf cart, he’d race me in mine, spotting me almost a quarter-mile head start and leaving me behind in a cloud of Ferrari dust. One day, I called him in Ocean Reef while it was raining, and I asked him what he was going to do since he couldn’t play golf. He said he had seen a Rolls Royce at a stoplight so he thought he’d go buy one for himself – as if that’s what everyone did when it was raining and couldn’t play golf 🙂 I loved hearing the Alpine Bank radio spots that he and Michael Chandler created. I mentioned to him that he should take a turn in narrating the spots. His voice was as soothing and grandfatherly as Walter Cronkite’s and inspired the same trust as Cronkite did and as anyone would have in their own grandfather. One day, I was listening to the radio in my car, and the familiar Alpine Bank jingle came on, and I told my wife that we were about to hear from Bob. Sure enough, we did – and it turned out to be a reply to an email I had sent him that he said was from “my friend, Tom.” That caught me by total surprise and put me immediately on Cloud Nine! Again, that was Bob. He had a way of putting everyone with whom he came in contact on Cloud Nine. The world is undeniably a better place thanks to Bob Young. He was charitable before it became a thing, and his philanthropy is legendary – the list is much too long for this space – but it survives him via the J Robert Young Foundation. Several years ago, Bob was going through his files, and he found one of the first letters I sent to him when I was trying to convince him that he should buy bonds from me. I promised him a “second-to-none” experience that he’d never forget. He sent me a copy of the letter and at the bottom of it, he wrote, “You were right. Good show!” “Good Show,” was Bob’s customary way of thanking people for jobs well-done. So, to you, Bob, at the celebration of a life so well-lived, I’ll say, “Good show!” And I’ll miss you.

I’m still mad at Bob for not letting me drive one of his vintage race cars. He drove them a few times to our Alpine Bank – Telluride location. After saying hello and visiting with everyone I would ask if I could take his car for a spin, he would smile and laugh and politely tell me no. I think he laughed and smiled because he knew my 6’4” frame would not fit in any of those cars. My opportunities to be in Bob’s presence were too few but I was always impressed and encouraged by him. I always left feeling valued and desiring to be a better person and encourage others. I may have had few opportunities to be in Bob’s presence but God’s word makes it clear that “you will know them by their fruits”. A person’s true character and spiritual state are revealed through the “fruit” they produce. Good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit. It is not hard to see that Bob produced good fruit. That fruit can be seen in the lives he touched by his kindness, joy, and compassion. He has instilled those values into Alpine Bank and the communities Alpine Bank serves are the beneficiaries. My family and I are grateful as we enjoy the benefits of his impact. Thanks Bob!

Bob was an inspiring man who led by example. I was volunteering for an organization called, Angel Projects where we would help single woman with children to complete big repairs in their home. I was impressed to see Bob there rolling up his sleeves and ready to get dirty. Bob was an incredible leader who built an amazing bank with his core values of Independence, Community, Loyalty, Integrity and Compassion. These values have shaped me during my employment and helped me be a better person. My family and I will forever be grateful for Bob Young and the opportunities he provided us.

Because of Bob Young’s vision and commitment to Alpine Bank and the communities we serve, I have been able to contribute to my community in very meaningful ways. Bob’s generosity and legacy will live on for generations. My family and I are especially thankful for the Calloway Young Cancer Center, his selflessness has allowed thousands to receive the best care possible locally during challenging times. Thank you, Bob, for your kindness and sharing your blessings with others.

My name is Michael. For 55 years, Bobby and I were best friends. I first met Bob in the early ‘70’s. Back then, I was a KSNO disk jockey. On Saturday mornings, I would put on a 50’s rock and roll show imitating Wolfman Jack. Bobby would call me and say he just loved that old-time rock ‘n roll. Except he didn’t call me Wolfman Jack. He called me Wolfbreath Jack. Over the decades, we became very close. We loved to play together. Everything from drag racing one another at Woody Creek Raceway, to riding our snowmobiles to the top of Sopris, even though we weren’t supposed to. But we were having so much fun, it just happened. Decades ago, countless antique race cars came to Glenwood to recreate the movie The Great Race. So, Bobby and I decided to reenact the saloon fight scene that broke out in the old west town of Borracho… straight from the Great Race movie. We would do it at Two Rivers Park. He said “I’ll play the good guy Tony Curtis and you play the bad guy Jack Lemmon.” I asked why I couldn’t play the good guy. Bob said, “No one would believe you.” We hired Hollywood actor Hal Smith to travel to Glenwood. Hal played the Borracho town mayor in the movie. Hal also played the character Otis Campbell in The Andy Griffith Show, one of Bob’s favorites. (I think Bob wished he could have played Mayberry’s banker. Which, if you think about it, I guess he kinda was. For real!) We then gathered over one hundred stunt men and women to fight one another on and in front of the park stage. (Bob LOVED this movie!) Once the action started and the fight began, Bobby punched me right in the nose. I asked him, “What’d you do that for?!” He said, “Well, you said you wanted it to look realistic!” Over the years, Bobby and I would have long and very personal talks together. I know that you… the person reading this right now… you’re hurting. Me too. But I thought I’d share one of our personal talks with you… maybe it’ll make you feel better. His loving life-mate Geny knows the story. So does my angelic wife Michele. In a moment, you will too. Bob and I believed that when a human being is born on Earth, two things happen. One: The Devine Mother (who many call God) picks a Soul from Heaven. Each Soul makes an individual who they are… their completely unique personality and characteristics. Two: That Soul is then transported to Earth, and waits for its newborn baby to appear. Once born, the Soul takes up residence inside the baby. Has to. The Soul needs to get around Earth somehow. The baby has exactly what is needed. It’s like a suitcase for the Soul. This suitcase carries everything needed to navigate Earth: heart, lungs, stomach, legs, eyes. It’s perfect for the Soul to reside within. Anyway, upon birth, the suitcase is brand new. Soft skin, all the zippers and wheels work. Nice handle. It’s ready to go! And boy did Bobby use his suitcase! A real race car driver. An outdoorsman. A prankster. A devoted friend. Well, you know Bobby. I don’t need to list all of his life accomplishments. As the years go by, each of our suitcases gets dinged up. Travel does that. The leather cracks. One of the wheels falls off. The zippers begin to jam. The suitcase gets old. But at the same time, Bobby’s Soul became stronger, wiser, more understanding. All the life experiences Bobby had, turned his Soul into a loving powerhouse. The epitome of kindness. Over the past decade, Bob’s suitcase reached the end of its usefulness. Just couldn’t keep up with that magnificent Soul of his. But that was okay. We’ll all be there someday. Finally, on December 11th, with his wonderful Geny by his side, Bob’s Soul decided that his suitcase was no longer of any use. Shot. So, his Soul left it behind. His old suitcase just didn’t work anymore. Bob Young is not dead. His Soul is alive and well, more vibrant than ever before. Now I know this story of ours may be a stretch for many of you. But I can prove it: Close your eyes. Open your heart. Now think of Bob. Can you feel him? Can you feel the rush of who he is, and what he’s done for us all? Strong, isn’t it. Like he’s right here inside you. Because he is. That suitcase… his body on Earth… the one that will be buried above Carbondale, is not Bob Young. Bob Young is right here. Right now. And he’ll visit with you anytime you like. I wish all of you peace. Bob does too. He doesn’t want any of us to hurt. He loves you too much. Set yourself free. I promise you, Bobby has never been stronger or happier than he is right now. He’s finally free! My best, Michael

In Memory of Bob Young It’s hard to put into words the impact Bob Young had on my life over the last 28 years. He took a chance on me nearly three decades ago, and I am forever grateful. Bob was a man of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened. He taught us that true leadership is about empowering others; he believed in hiring capable people and then, with ultimate trust, getting out of their way. His journey was defined by a rare mix of tenacity, patience, and courage. Nowhere was this more evident than in 1973, when he had the vision to start a bank in Carbondale. Bob saw potential where others did not, and through sheer persistence, he transformed that initial spark into the best community bank in Colorado. He had a remarkable gift for distilling complex challenges into simple, elegant solutions, always leading with a quiet but firm resolve. Bob didn’t just build a successful financial institution; he built a family of professionals who felt respected and inspired. We have lost a visionary, a mentor, and a man of immense character. Rest in peace, Bob—your legacy lives on in every community Alpine Bank serves.

When I started working for the bank in 1994, I was a sort of switchboard operator answering calls at the branch and then transferring them to the correct officer or department. Despite having no experience with banking and not knowing many of the terms, I muddled through with relative success and only a few dropped calls. There was a fellow with a Florida phone number who would often call in to the bank, and he was so kind and patient with me while I transferred his call to the Administration department. It was not long before I realized that friendly voice was Bob Young’s. The first time he was back in Colorado, he made a point to stop by my desk and introduce himself. He told me he appreciated my efforts, that I had a pleasant phone voice, and that he liked my customer service. He later asked my supervisor if she’d let me interview for the job of his administrative assistant! She jokingly told him, “No! You can’t have her!” but we know how that turned out. For 32 years, I have always been grateful for his belief in me and his support. Debbie Lundin