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Robert D. ¯Bob¯ Kaufman was called home by the Lord, Thursday, August 7, 2003 Bob was born February 16, 1929 in Nebraska to Mary Ann and Leo Kaufman. He suffered from heart and lung disease over the past several years. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Barbara M (Brown) Kaufman; sons, Robert D. ¯Don¯ and wife, Bonnie; Randy L. and wife, Francie; daughter, Lynn D. and husband, Dave Davis; 7 grandchildren, Nicole and Eric Kaufman; Josh, Leighton, and Mandi Kaufman; Tami and Lori Davis. He is also survived by his precious companions and sidekicks, his dogs, Rags and Mittens. Bob moved with his family from Nebraska to California when he was 9 years old. He resided there until at the age of 17 he joined the Air force. He was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. It was then that he met ¯the love of his life Barbara¯ and they were wed on April 2, 1949. After being discharged from the Air Force, Bob enrolled in and completed the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Program. He became a Licensed Journeyman Plumber. He worked for several plumbing contractors until 1963 when he opened the doors of Kaufman Plumbing and Heating, Inc. He retired in 1990. Bob served as an instructor for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Program, was President of the Mechanical Contractors Association, and a member of the American Arbitration Association. Bob was also a member of the BPOE # 461. Harwood United Methodist Church was the church where Bob was an active member since 1954. He served the church in numerous areas until his death. He was private pilot and enjoyed flying for several years. Many things brought Bob joy throughout his life, he spent many weekends at Elephant Butte Lake teaching his children and grandchildren the ¯ins and outs¯of boating, water skiing, and fishing. Bob loved to golf and for a couple of years did so once a week until about a year ago. Bob, Barbara, Rags and Mittens traveled with special ¯old-time¯ friends and made many new friends through their motor home club. He loved and took great pride in his yard and gardening. He enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels that visited on his back patio. Bob also enjoyed visiting the area casinos now and again, hoping to ¯hit the big one.¯ He was kind, compassionate, generous, loving, giant of a man with an ornery streak that anyone who knew him experienced. His family was the most important thing in his life. He was a great and honorable husband, father, papa and friend. He will be deeply missed, but will always and forever be in our hearts. A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Monday, August 11, 2003, 10:00 a.m. at French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, with Rev. Andy Husted of HUMC, officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menual NE. Pallbearer¯s will be Don Kaufman, Randy Kaufman, Dave Davis, Josh Kaufman, Leighton Kaufman, and Eric Kaufman. Honorary and special friends are Ron Robertson, Sy Lucas, Bob Hanna, Skip Hansen, Don Neilson and Al Moran. Friends may visit at French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, Sunday, August 10, 2003 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The family suggest donations be made to The American Heart Association, P.O. Box 90790, Albuquerque, NM 87199-0790 or The American Lung Association, 7001 Menual NE, Suite 1A, Albuquerque, NM 87110. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
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