Robert Bement Obituary

Robert (Bob) Bement, 93, a longtime Mancos resident, died Nov. 8, 2011, in Los Alamos, N.M. He was born Robert Earl Bement on Jan. 24, 1918, in Denver to Elijah Green and Grace Mae (Yoder) Bement. A graduate of North Denver High School, he attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where he met and married Thelma Francis Johnson on Dec. 22, 1939. After graduating in 1940 with a B.S. in forestry and a 2nd Lt. Commission in Artillery, he served on active duty from 1940-1946. During this time, he served in combat as an artillery battalion commander with the 69th Infantry Division in Europe, which was the first team to meet the Russians toward the close of WWII.

He earned a master's degree and taught in the Range Management Department at CSU from 1946-48. After working for the Soil Conservation Service at Mancos and other Colorado locations from 1948-55, he transferred to the Agricultural Research Service as scientist in charge of the Central Plains Experimental Range with headquarters at CSU. From 1960-73, he was also in charge of the ARS Forage and Range Branch in Colorado and the Crops Research Laboratory on the CSU campus.

In 1968, he earned a Ph.D. in range science and became a full member of the graduate faculty at CSU. After 18 years at the experimental range, he retired in 1973. While at the Range, he helped develop the production optimization curves for balancing animal numbers with the vegetation available to them. He authored over 35 papers published in scientific journals.

After retirement, Bob and Thelma returned to Mancos where they ranched, and he traveled to Iceland, Italy, and 11 African countries as a consultant. He received the Society for Range Management Outstanding Achievement Award for the practical application of production optimization curves to balance animal numbers with the vegetation for proper stocking of ranges from Iceland to Africa. He also served as president of the Mancos Soil Conservation District and as board member of the Mancos Rural Water Co., Bauer Lakes Irrigation Co., and Mancos State Bank.

The achievement of which he was most proud was a 71 1/2 year marriage to Thelma, his lifelong sweetheart. In all those years, they experienced many trials and joys and even in their last days together always held hands before falling asleep. Thelma died July 21, 2011.

Bob is survived by a son, Rob, of Mancos, grandson, Matt (Jill) Bement, granddaughter, Jennifer (Andy) Seirp, great-granddaughters, Allison and Melissa Bement, great-grandson, Nathan Seirp, and daughter-in-law, Judy Bement, all of Los Alamos; a sister, Margaret Allen of Denver; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Thelma, and son, Thomas.

In keeping with Bob's wishes, cremation has taken place, and no public service is scheduled. His family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to his many beloved Mancos area friends and to the staff at Aspen Ridge Lodge and VistaCare Hospice for their loving care and support.