A Legend Rode Home
On June 17, 2025, the Cheley Colorado Camps family said farewell to a legend, a steward of our traditions, and a soul woven into the very fabric of our story—Robert “Cowboy Bob” Dern.
His journey with Cheley began in 1937, when a bright-eyed 7-year-old boy arrived at Lower Ski Hi with a sense of wonder and a pair of dusty boots. From there, the trail led him through Ski Hi and Haiyaha, where he not only earned his place among peers but distinguished himself with grace and grit. Bob achieved his “red kerchief” in all three units—a rare honor, made even more challenging by the English riding requirements of the time. He rode with heart and discipline, earning his Gold Spurs and Fourth Degree Mountaineer in 1944, and his Gold Key in 1945. Back then, camp wasn’t just five weeks—it was a full ten weeks of challenge, growth, and transformation.
It was also the beginning of an 80-year friendship with fellow camper Richard “Smitty” Smith. Together, they embodied a lifetime of shared laughter, stories, and service—living proof that camp friendships can last a lifetime, and beyond.
At just 15, Cowboy Bob took his first job at camp as a “Counselor’s Aid.” By mid-summer, fate (and a few fired wranglers) placed him as Head Wrangler of Ski Hi. The next year, at 16, he became the Assistant Wrangler of Haiyaha. By 1948, he was a trusted wrangler in both Ski Hi and Haiyaha—his bond with the riding program never wavering.
But Bob’s legacy stretches far beyond the saddle.
He was the kind of alumnus every camp dreams of. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to find their path through the Cheley gates. And he made sure others could, too. In 1989, Cowboy Bob helped found the John Austin Cheley Foundation, serving as its Awards Chairman and later as Board Chair. Because of him, hundreds of children—who otherwise could never afford it—discovered the transformative magic of camp.
His heart was equally tied to service. For a decade, he dedicated his time to the Cheley/Children’s Hospital Burn Camp, offering compassion and care to those who needed it most. In the early 2000s, he returned once again—this time as Director of Fishing. Bob untangled lines, fixed reels, and gave campers a glimpse of serenity at Cheley Pond. If you were lucky, you might even share a quiet afternoon with him, rod in hand, stories in the air.
And then there were the campfires.
As a member of the distinguished Marmots, surrounded by fellow senior staff, Cowboy Bob sang and smiled beneath starlit skies. His joy was simple: music, laughter, nature, and the wide-open space of the Colorado backcountry.
But if there’s one thing all who met him remember, it’s the handshake.
Firm. Unflinching. Full of presence. Even in his 90s, Bob’s handshake spoke volumes about strength, respect, and the power of connection. His grandson Daniel recalled that even in his final days, Bob greeted the world the same way he always had: with steady eyes, a strong grip, and a gentle hum of a show tune.
His legacy is one of hard work, humility, and heart. He taught us that leadership isn’t loud—it’s lived. That the greatest adventures aren’t always on horseback or mountaintop, but in the quiet moments by a pond, the call of a song, the loyalty of a friend.
The world—and Cheley—is better, kinder, and braver because Cowboy Bob Dern rode through it.
May we carry his spirit forward, with firm handshakes, open trails, and songs around the fire.
Ride on, Cowboy Bob. Your wife, Ellen, is very excited to be reunited with you.
