Final Salute

Robert Lawrence Ferriter

Entered into Life December 15, 1936 – Entered into Eternal Life December 20, 2020

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert “Bob” Ferriter of Lakewood, Colorado announces his passing on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at the age of 84. Bob will be lovingly remembered by his family, including his wife of 53 years, Sandra Ferriter; his children, Christi Browning (Lance), Timothy Ferriter (Amy), Michael Ferriter (Meredith), Elizabeth Pilson (Bryan); and his seven grandchildren, Trey Browning, Sean Browning, Keara Ferriter, Aidan Ferriter, Leland Ferriter, Matthew Ferriter and Joshua Pilson.

Bob was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Walter P. and Dorothy (Gindel) Ferriter, and his sister, Ottilia Meserve (Richard). He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Hinrichs (Ralph). He was also close to and a great influence in the lives of his niece, Margaret Myers (Richard), and nephews William Meserve (Kay), Robert Meserve and Richard Meserve (Linda). The Kattnig family had a significant impact on Bob’s life after he lost his mother at a young age. He spent much of his youth on their ranch beneath the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in his beloved town of Westcliffe, Colorado.

Bob graduated from the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) with a Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering in 1960 and proudly received the Charles N. Bell Award for Academic Excellence. He also earned his Master’s degree in petroleum engineering from CSM in 1971. In 1960, he entered the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School. In 1961, he was commissioned as an Ensign and was sent to the Naval Civil Engineer Corps School. He was then assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE. He served as the Officer in Charge of Seabee Technical Assistance Team 0501. This was the first Seabee team deployed in the Pacific Theater. Proudly, he served in South Vietnam, Okinawa and Guam, where he supervised construction of military support facilities.

In 1967, Bob began his journey as a dedicated family man when he married Sandra. They bought a home in Lakewood, Colorado where they raised their family and continued to live to this day.

In 1971, Bob became an active member of the U.S. Naval Reserve. He affiliated with the Seabee program in Pueblo, Colorado. There, he organized a new detachment for Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIFTEEN. He subsequently held a variety of billets in the Battalion including Commanding Officer. He also completed tours with the SECOND Reserve Naval Construction Regiment as Chief Staff Officer and Reserve Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command as Assistant Commander for Readiness. Bob briefly returned to active service and was assigned to the staff of the Chief of Naval operations at the Pentagon. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1989 with the rank of Captain, thus ending a remarkable career in service to his Country.

Bob received numerous medals during his Naval career, including the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Service Award, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Navy Rifle Marksman Medal with “E” clasp.

In civilian life, in 1971, Bob began working at the U.S. Bureau of Mines (which later became the Mine Safety and Health Administration). He worked there until 1997 when the Denver office closed. During that time, he served as an Engineer and Chief in the Ground Control Division, handling and improving many issues related to miner safety, health and technology.

In 1972, Captain Ferriter began the restoration of the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a project that was near and dear to his heart and remained so his entire life. He commanded ‘Operation Silver Spike’, a restoration of the narrow-gauge railroad and mining camp for the Colorado State Historical Society. The project was an important piece of preserving Colorado’s mining and railroad heritage, while providing invaluable readiness training for his battalion. In 1988, the Seabee contribution to this project was recognized by Governor Roy Romer who dedicated a memorial monument to them.

In 1999, Bob returned to the Colorado School of Mines, this time to teach. He identified an industry need and was instrumental in developing the Mine Safety and Health Program (MSHP) and mine rescue training. Teams from across the nation as well as from all over the world have come to Colorado for this training. Bob also traveled the globe to evaluate the safety and health conditions in mines, including gold mines in Siberia and coal mines in India. He dedicated his life to improving the safety and health and saving the lives of miners around the world. Bob was presented with the Highest Degree of Safety award from the International Society of Mine Safety Professionals, honoring him as the safety professional who had contributed most significantly to the reduction of injury and illness in the international community.

In 2017, Bob reluctantly retired from the Colorado School of Mines at the age of 80. He was a licensed professional engineer up until his death, never allowing his license to expire. He was a member of the Society of American Military Engineers and American Institute of Metallurgical Engineers. Bob had a passion for writing and was a published author. He published many articles throughout his military career and co-authored the Mine Rescue Manual: A Comprehensive Guide for Mine Rescue Team Members. He was working on a book about the reconstruction of the Georgetown Loop Railroad at the time of his passing.

Bob’s love of Westcliffe and the surrounding mountains has been passed down to his children and grandchildren. It is there that the family gathers frequently to spend time together and celebrate. Bob instilled in them a great love for family and all things Colorado. Summers were spent taking his children and grandchildren hiking, camping, backpacking and exploring. Winters were spent cross-country and downhill skiing and snowmobiling. Bob had a meaningful impact and influence on all of those around him. He is deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

Rosary prayer service will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary Chapel at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Arvada, and will be live streamed for those that cannot attend. Interment to follow at Mt Olivet Cemetery.

A celebration of Bob’s life for all of Bob’s family and friends to attend will be planned at a later date in 2021.

**In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to　Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 109 South Fifth Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252 or the Bluff Park San Isabel Land Protection Trust, https://www.wmvcf.org/nonprofit/the-bluff-project/

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