March 8, 1940-July 2, 2023
Robert “Bob” Jancar, 83, of Ridgway, Colorado, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, July 2nd, with his wife Carol and daughter Leanna and son Tim by his side.
Bob was born in Johnstown, PA, on March 8, 1940. He grew up in Franklin Borough, Pennsylvania, attending Franklin High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball. He graduated from Penn State University in 1961 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and served in the U.S. Army Reserve during the Cuban missile crisis.
Bob met his wife, Carol Ann Kraeuter, connecting through a shared sense of adventure and a love of dancing. Just like on the dance floor they became a team in life, marrying in 1967.
Later he earned his master’s in business administration at Fairleigh Dickinson while embarking on a successful 31-year career as a healthcare manufacturing executive at Ethicon and Vistakon, both divisions of Johnson & Johnson. There he would be remembered as an exceptional mentor and leader who cared deeply about the well-being of his employees and colleagues.
His career took him across the country from Somerville, New Jersey to Chicago, Illinois, back to New Jersey, and on to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Jacksonville, Florida. While in Albuquerque, Bob was a leader in the community, serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce and President of the United Way.
In retirement, Bob and Carol moved to their forever home in Ridgway, Colorado. As an avid skier, hiker, fisherman and bow hunter, it was the ideal place to spend the next 27 years.
Bob was also an adventurous sailor and scuba diver, a German Short-Haired Pointer enthusiast and a passionate Penn State Nittany Lions football and wrestling fan. A world traveler, he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with Carol, explored the Galapagos Islands, fished the Brazilian Amazon, sailed the South Pacific and even swam with sharks in the Bahamas.
He especially treasured his Slovenian heritage, visiting the country several times and forging deep relationships with his many relatives who live there.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Frances, brother John, and sisters Mary Jane Carty, Marjorie Rhine, Frances Rife, and Leslie Jancar.
Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol, his children Tim (Ticci) and Leanna (Drew), and grandchildren Tylee, Tess, Kaden, and Will. He is also survived by his twin brother Bill, sister Patricia Huntsinger, and lifelong best friend, George Walz.
In lieu of flowers the family asks you please consider making a donation in Bob’s name to any of the following: Bob & Carol Jancar Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund of the Medical College of Wisconsin Attn: Office of Development 8701 Watertown Plank Road Milwaukee, WI 53226 Memorial gifts may also be made online at: https://www.MCW.edu/giving/ The Denver Hospice
8289 E. Lowry Boulevard Denver, Colorado 80230 The Denver Hospice – Colorado – https://thedenverhospice. org/giving/
Haven House of Olathe
P.O. Box 3122 Montrose, CO 81402 Or via PayPal: Donate – Haven House of Olathe CO – https://havenhousehomeless.org/donate Bob’s family will host a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Sunday, August 6th, 2023, at 11 AM at 57 Gopher Court, Ridgway, Colorado.
