ROBERT Age 70, fondly known as "Uncle Bob", passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012. On January 4, 1964 he married Kathy Franks, his high school sweetheart, and two years later they had their daughter, Melissa. Hunting had always been his passion; from his grade school days, when he walked along the ditch and caught frogs on his way home from school, to the day he was stricken down in the parking lot of Sportsman's. In the 70's, Uncle Bob had a mission: to teach Melissa and his nephews to hunt and fish. Fishing trips to the lake soon included boating and water skiing, where his daughter, nephews, nieces, and friends gathered and learned to water ski at the hand of "Uncle Bob". Until the mid 90's, he hunted strictly in NM but the call of Kansas pheasant hunting got to him, so he was off to Kansas with his nephews for multiple fun filled outings. In 2000, he had open-heart surgery, but that didn't stop him. He said, "What better way to heal a broken heart than to go hunting". It was then that he decided to fulfill his lifelong dream to go to Africa on a hunting safari. So off to Africa he went with his brother Ed and his nephews. It was the first of four hunting excursions to Africa with the fifth trip in the works. However, this one was going to be different; he planned to take his seven year old grandson, Casey, with him. Casey wanted to be just like his Papa, and Papa had already taught him how to shoot a gun and cast a fishing pole further than most adults. From the time Casey and Melissa moved to Albuquerque in 2005, Papa and Casey did everything together. Robert owned and operated Philmore Heating and Air Conditioning, a family owned business since 1954. He was the best husband, father, papa, brother, uncle and friend and he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by wife, Kathryn Finley; daughter, Melissa; grandson, Casey; twin sister, Roberta Finley and husband, Bill; sister, Liz Finley; brother, Eddie and wife, Barbara; brothers-in-law, Chuck Franks and Joe Smith; nephew, Richard Gonzales and wife, Arian and their children, Marisol and Andy; nephew, Earl Franks and wife, Victoria; nephew, Trey Finley and wife, Alicia; nephew, Chuck Franks and wife, Lisa and their children, Max and Luke; niece, Debi Bartucci and husband, Pat; niece, Dedi Van Winkle and husband, Russ and their children, Zane and Grant; niece, Iris Vallejos and husband, Rick; nephew, Roy Metzgar; also including numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. Uncle Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine and Skip Finley; and brother, Phil. Rosary will be recited on Friday February 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm, at French-Lomas Chapel with visitation one hour prior to the Rosary. Mass will be celebrated for Uncle Bob on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 8:30 am at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Albuquerque High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 800 Odelia Rd NE, 87102. Please visit our online guestbook for Robert "Uncle Bob" at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd NE 505-275-3500
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