Obituary of Robert Coffin deKieffer

Robbie deKieffer’s family and friends — really, everyone he met — knew him as a kind, generous, smart man with a big heart and a deep love for Boulder, his hometown. He loved unconditionally and was loved in return. He also struggled with depression, and on June 26, 2015, Robert Coffin deKieffer took his own life on the east Boulder farm he shared with his wife Kitty for 30 years. He was 60. A celebration of Robbie’s life will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Boulder Country Club, 7350 Clubhouse Road, Boulder. All are invited. Robbie was born June 25, 1955 in Boulder to Robert Eulette deKieffer and Melissa Hibbard deKieffer. He attended Burke Elementary School, Platt Middle School and Fairview High School, and earned degrees in environmental design and business from the University of Colorado Boulder. Robbie met Kitty, a California transplant, at the Solar Energy Research Institute, now the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in Golden. They married on their farm on May 18, 1985. He was considered one of the nation’s foremost experts on residential energy conservation, and was named recently by Vice President Joe Biden as one of just 12 people tasked with crafting a new national energy policy. Robbie was an Eagle Scout and served as a Cub Scout leader in Boulder. He was a singer, performer and treasurer with Up With People! for two years and was a member of the CU-Boulder Directors Club and Boulder Country Club. He loved to travel with Kitty, including their trip to Europe in May to celebrate their 30th anniversary. He loved being outdoors and working with the cattle on the farm. He also was proud that remnants of the last fort in Boulder County stood on the farm — built in 1864, it was a waypoint for travelers on their way to Fort Chambers.. The world has lost one of its kindest and most loving people. Robbie always lit up the room and will be deeply missed by all. He is survived by Kitty deKieffer and his son Hunter deKieffer, both of Boulder; his mother Melissa deKieffer of Boulder; a brother, Jim deKieffer and his wife Susie, of Elizabeth, Colo.; sister-in-law Nancy deKieffer and her children Nathan and Amanda, of McLean, Virginia; mother-in-law Beverly Cannon of Irvine, Calif.; and brother-in-law Craig Cannon and his family, Jana, Keith, and Kyle, of Archie, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Donald E. deKieffer. Memorial contributions may be made through the University of Colorado Foundation. Please direct contributions to the Robert C. deKieffer Memorial Fund for the School of Environmental Design and send to: University of Colorado Foundation, PO Box 17126, Denver, CO 80217-9155