BOB BLOOMFIELDBob Bloomfield grew up in Meeker, Colo. He spent most of his time on the ranch, was in FFA Club and Ag programs in high school where he also played football and basketball. He was always a rancher at heart, and enjoyed cattle and horses.
Bob graduated from Colorado State University in 1969. He started teaching at Rifle High School as Vocational Agriculture Instructor, and during his career he was instrumental in developing a very active Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter and Ag program.
Bob encouraged, inspired and helped students to achieve their goals and to develop a good work ethic for their lives. The Rifle FFA chapter had State Farmers as well as State and District Officers: Kelley Couey was an American Farmer and Ray Chelewski an Ag Teacher.
Bob and the FFA members held rodeos which he also announced. He was active with High School Rodeo Club and helped with Garfield County Junior Rodeo. Bob served on the Garfield County Fair Board as well as RE-2 School Board. Bob had a 4-H tractor club which helped members learn to operate machinery safely.
After teaching for 12 years, Bob had a haying business, sold farm equipment, managed ranches and owned a fertilizer business. Bob always stayed active in and helped with FFA at Rifle and Plateau Valley.
Bob’s great influence will always remain with us through the peoples’ lives he touched, especially his three children.
“The coolest teacher ever”
as remembered by “Vic”
There have been many great influences in my life; Bob was at the top of my list.
He was always there at our rodeo practices helping wherever he was needed. Once, while helping my dad pick up, I moved in too close and got kicked by a big ‘ol bucking horse. I remember everything going hazy as I was falling off my horse with a cracked arm; Bob caught me before I hit the ground, and I saw his worried face and heard his voice say, “Vic, are you okay?” I’ll never know how he got there so quickly.
Looking back, I know I had a little girl crush on Bob. It was fed by his big ‘ol Copenhagen grin and infectious laugh.
Much later in life, he informed me that we were going to rope together in the Teacher/Student Team Roping at the Annual FFA Rodeo. I was jazzed; and then it hit me... I can’t team rope! But, after a lot of practice and Bob yelling “keep your thumb up,” the big night came. I was terribly nervous and looked to him for reassurance: “Are you ready?” I asked. He winked and said “Always.”
I called for the steer, caught it and went to dally, missed my dally, worried about keeping my thumb up, and didn’t want to let go... heck no! My three brothers and Bob, who got me ready for this big night, would kill me if I let go! I held on tight hoping for a second chance with the horn... then my horse turned off with the rope in my hand and over the top I went, landing on the ground and finally letting go.
Then I realized, I’d ripped the seat out of my pants! Right about then Bob reached out his hand to me, and with a big ‘ol grin asked, “Are you okay?” “No,” I said, with big tears in my eyes, “I ripped my pants so I can’t get up!” He pulled me to my feet and said “walk.” He followed me out of the arena so closely that no one could see my problem.
Yes, he was the coolest teacher ever. And boy did we learn from him. He always caught us when we fell, and put us back on our feet with dignity and respect. I speak for many parents, teachers, administrators and friends when I say: there will never be another Bob Bloomfield; thanks Bob for everything!
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