Robert Lyle McHugh was born January 13, 1938 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Lyle and Miriam McHugh. Shortly after, the family moved to Nevada where he spent the first seven years of his life. The family moved back to Colorado, settling in Paonia where Bob graduated High School in 1957.
Upon graduation, Bob joined the Marine Corps where he served proudly, at home and overseas, until his discharge in 1961. Semper Fi.
He attended college in Glenwood Springs for a short time, and tried a variety of jobs until he found his life's work as a lineman. He worked as a journeyman lineman for over 40 years, traveling the United States, building electric towers and lines and working storm breaks. He enjoyed it every day, building a treasure trove of stories along the way.
He married his wife Wilma in Wendover, Nevada. He and Wilma moved to Akron in 2001, at the urging of their daughter Bobbi. Bob would get upset when Bobbi complained all the time because they lived so far away, so they moved closer to his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up, attending football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, track, 4-H and all their other activities.
Bob loved western movies and reading, history, hunting, fishing, guns, and spending time in the Rockies. He loved the outdoors. He had endless tales to tell about life and friends and family and loved sharing his stories with them. He laughed easily, often at himself.
Bob leaves behind his wife Wilma, daughter Bobbi and son-in-law Brian Christensen of Akron and step-son Jason Grosser of Springhill, Florida. Grandchildren Jon, Frank and wife Kayla, Jace, Reed, Chris, Karli, Lindsey and Gracie.
He is survived by brothers Bryce Barry, wife Patty of Bend, Oregon; Jack McHugh and wife Cathy of Las Vegas, Nevada; Tom McHugh and wife Mary of Reno, Nevada; sisters Carroll Brittian and husband John of West Covina, California and Colleen Lark and husband Robert of Carlin, Nevada. Sister-in-law Cheryle Severin and husband Warren of Fort Collins, Colorado and sister-in-law Janet of Unionville, Missouri.
He also leaves behind five great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a wealth of friends across the country.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lyle McHugh, his mother Miriam McHugh Barry, step-father Arlie Barry, father-in-law Harold Frink, Sr and brother-in-law Harold Frink, Jr.
He will be remembered and his stories retold and new stories told about him by all who loved him and will miss him.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Foursquare Church of Akron. Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the family of Bob McHugh.