Robert Kauer Obituary

Bob's gentle & generous ways remain an inspiration to us. We haven't forgotten him and we never will.

I planted my first backyard garden this year, inspired by all the time my family spent at Shared Harvest. I kept wishing I remembered more about how we planted things there - when is the right time? how far apart were the seeds? but in the end I remembered the skills we all learned there were only part of the magic of the place that Bob envisioned. The joy of all being together, working on a shared purpose, and feeling the satisfaction and empowerment of eating home grown food were just as much a part of the overall beauty there. Thank you Bob, your legacy lives on in my backyard.

I still miss chatting with Bob during garden visits and potluck days. He was so welcoming and genuine. I am lucky to have crossed paths with him.

Its hard to believe that 2 years have passed. I still miss our friendly chats in the early mornings at the garden and probably always will.

Its February 2020 and I now, by chance, have just discovered that Bob has passed away. I am sorry to get this news. Bob and I were good friends.

I got to know Bob in the early 1990's during his years of spiritual rejuvanation. We met at the Option Instutute, a personal growth center, in Western, Massachusetts, then got to know each other well after I moved to Colorado in 1992. We spent a lot of time together while he lived in Boulder, Colorado. I helped him move out to Durango where he bought a house in town and decorated it with his Navajo rugs and Western furniture. Bob had good taste.

Bob and I sampled quite a number of personal growth retreats and approaches together. He was up to exploring almost anything in those days that had to do with personal growth. He got hooked on growing as a person and just wanted more and more of that. He was open and adventurouse, and contiually worked to improve himself. I remember him especially liking the journalling process. He was very disciplined with his journaling, saying that it gave him a tremendouse amount of growth and self understanding.

Bob was a gem of a person! One of the finest I have known. He was wise, fair and caring. I remember his involvement with the Durango food coop, and then with his community garden, which impressed me immensely. I will enjoy thinking about Bob in the coming weeks and months. Bob, if there is an afterlife, I hope you can continue your adventures wherever you are. Love to you, your wife, your family and friends. Peace to you my friend!

Bob was a great business partner who taught me a lot about real-estate after my dad passed.
Dan Hall

Bob was a beautiful human being whom I was privileged to know for 25 years, but really began to appreciate when I joined the Shared Harvest. With an open heart he, with the lovely Jama, welcomed so many us onto the farm and into their home. On a special shelf of mine is a jar of beautiful cherries he and Jama helped me pick one exquisite evening accompanied by that wonderful glass of wine. Thanks again Bob for the memories. Deepest condolences to family, friends and, especially, Jama. My love, AnnieOlga xxx

When Bob Kauer sought members for a Community garden in the spring of 2002 I responded and my life was enormously enriched.For the next 16 years so many Shared Harvest gardeners were the recipients of Bob's generosity, hospitality, humor and organizational skill. Together we all accomplished more than we could have imagined on our own. And when he brought us Jama we were all blessed.I believe every member of Shared Harvest Garden over the years would agree that we shared more than a garden- we shared a sense of community, of extended family even. We had successes and failures. we laughed and cried together. We watched young families grow,too.
What a legacy! We love you, Bob and will always hold you dear. Marye Jackson

I always knew that I was missing something special by not attending the Shared Harvest potlucks. It will be bitter sweet to attend this last potluck for Bob, who brought our garden community together and made it all happen, seemingly effortlessly. His gentle spirit pervaded our work and our bounty. We will sorely miss him. I look forward to sharing a meal with all of you.

Bob was a roommate of mine at Michigan State University.We worked together on may projects and socialized together frequently. Bob was one of the most honest and trusting individuals I have ever met. He had a great sense of humor.
This year we are having our 55 Year reunion for the fraternity. We will all miss him and will have a special moment of silence for Bob and all of his family.

You will always live in our hearts and prayers.

We are saddened by the untimely and tragic death of our friend and gardening mentor, Bob Kauer. When we retired years ago, we joined the Shared Garden to learn more about growing our own food. What we have experienced is the chance to be a part of a shared experience, where co-operation and friendships were inspired by Bob's willingness to put up with our lack of knowledge and skill. It is a gift to bring different people together into a community that benefits the whole.
We will miss the atmosphere of working together and watching families and friends participate in meaningful, healthy work---for the benefit of everyone.
Many thanks to Bob and Jama, for sharing their home and experience with our family. The garden will always represent a safe and happy place where the companionship and respect for nature and each other, always seemed to be present.
Our condolences to the extended family.
Sincerely, Janice Taylor

I met Bob when I joined Shared Harvest 7 years ago. Lots of people are smart; Bob was also a community builder. He was able to attract people from diverse political, religious and social backgrounds, to share his vision where we would all work together to grow wonderful food. Every time I turned into the driveway of the farm, a sense of peace came over me. He never forgot a name and cared about each one of us. But beyond the work and the vegetables,he knew that we needed to enjoy each other; with the monthly potlucks, he opened his home to all of us. I will always remember Bob, sitting in the old Adirondack chair on his porch, engaged in lively conversation with his garden family. We miss him so very much.

My wife and I were members of Shared Harvest for 4 years, and were deeply saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He was such a generous and kind soul, and made us feel welcome on the farm from the first day we met. His vision for community agriculture that became A Shared Harvest is truly inspirational, and it became a part of our lives that will never be forgotten.

So sad. We were shocked to hear of Bob's passing. We were only members of shared harvest for 1 season. Bob was such a kind

Bob was the honorable "Grand Pa Pa" of the beautiful community garden. I saw him almost every day I visited. He knew me by name and always offered help with a smile. All of the Harvest Community will miss him! My condolences to his beautiful wife, Jama, and his children.

I was blessed to have been part of Bob's life at the garden. That was a priceless gift he gave to many. Peace

At a total loss for words. Nothing can express the kindness, the vision, the trust and the leadership Bob possessed. His vision of bringing people together for a common goal of a "Shared Harvest" also grew into a very large family. I loved the 10 years I spent working in this garden. Bob will be greatly missed. Sending all my love to Jama and the rest of Bob's family!

During this time of sorrow, may the words of Psalms 94:19 comfort you and soothe your pain. My deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one.

So many of these comments are just beautiful. I will just add that I came for the vegetables (a friend told me about it in 2007) and stayed for the beautiful community that Bob and Jama created. He had a vision and saw it through. I am so sorry for his family's loss. Reagan and Matt, you know he was special. Thank you for sharing him with us!

Shared Harvest, and Bob (and Jamas) gentle, kind spirits has been a cornerstone of our family's life here in Durango. My boys literally grew up on the farm. Bob touched our lives deeply and we will miss him greatly. Sending much love and healing to Jama and his children, grandchildren and family. Rest In Peace Bob. Love, Kristen, Aidan, Riley and Miles Roessler

A treasure to all who knew him for his generous contributions of enthusiasm, land and water that brought the love of gardening to hundreds of people of all ages. His remarkable hospitality and ready smile will long be remembered. We have lost an important member of our community and have heavy hearts. Our love and condolences to his wife Jama and all of Bob's extended family.

What a lucky day when Bob was out and about when working in the garden! He always shared a friendly hello. He gave out such warmth. He made you feel like you belonged (even when you had never even gardened before). And, my goodness, anyone whose big, beautiful, impossible dream resulted in Shared Harvest is truly a superhero in my book!

I feel such gratitude for this beautiful community. I can say that I believed in this organization more than any other organization I have ever been part of. I valued all the strong, hard-working, capable, and kind members who were role models for my kids (and myself). We enjoyed working as a team; we enjoyed the bountiful harvests. We looked forward to the potlucks.

Thinking about Bob makes me want to be a better person. Thank you, Bob.

I count myself as truly blessed to have known Bob for the last 11 years through the Shared Harvest Community Garden. I don't know many people who would open their home and land to strangers from any and all backgrounds for as long as he did. Pushing my infant son in the apple tree's swing at the garden while running back and forth to harvest vegetables is one of my fondest memories. He impacted my family's life tremendously and his generosity continually renewed my faith in humanity. My condolences to his children, family and Jama.

My children were so lucky to grow up running around Bob's Shared Harvest Garden and picking peas, tomatoes and strawberries. Bob and Jama taught us about gardening, composting, goats, and the proper use of garlic bulbs. Bob will always be remembered for creating both an amazingly productive garden and a very special community. I will miss Bob's kindness, compassion, laughter and hugs.

Bob will long be remembered by the community of gardeners he brought together. Celebrating the friendship and bounty of working together was a special gift he gave us. Rest in peace. You were an amazing individual and will be greatly missed.

I count myself as truly blessed to have known Bob for the last 11 years through the Shared Harvest Community Garden. I don't know many people who would open their home and land to strangers from any and all backgrounds for as long as he did. Pushing my infant son in the apple tree's swing at the garden while running back and forth to harvest vegetables is one of my fondest memories. He impacted our family tremendously and his generosity continually renewed my faith in humanity. My condolences to his children, family and Jama.

I was fortunate enough to know Bob on two fronts: Initially as a neighbor on East Third Avenue and more recently as Shared Harvest's generous farmer and gardener. He and Jama opened their home to anyone who wanted to learn what rewards come with nurturing anything from the ground up. I watched him love his goats, his horses and his dogs. The few years I was a member of Shared Harvest, I'd sip my morning coffee while weeding and I'd learn something every day from Bob, even if it was a lessen as simple as straightening a water irrigation line. It was such a treat to be in his presence. In times when words "inclusive" and "tolerant" have been cheapened by over-use and insincerity, Bob maintained a steadfast commitment to believing that people were inherently good, especially if you gave them a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves. His children, his sister and Jama have my deepest condolences. Know that he leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten by his community of gardeners and friends. With love and respect--- Karen Brucoli Anesi

Our family was so very blessed to know Bob and share in the literal bounty of his life and work. Although, we were just first year "newbies" in the garden family, Bob always made us feel so welcomed and part of the shared harvest community. He was so kind & warmhearted, getting to know anyone new and remembering all the kids. We feel his loss deeply, despite only knowing him the last year of his life. I personally have such fond memories of Bob's greetings in the garden & sitting with him on his porch laughing and enjoying a beer. He was such an inspiration to so many. Showing us all the joy of a life lived in love for people and the land. He will be dearly missed and always remembered.

I was lucky enough to become part of Bobs amazing Shared Harvest garden for a few years. It's truly incredible how Bob brought his vision to life with the beautiful community of gardeners and friends. His always cheerful face and greeting will be missed. Bob's passing is a tragic loss for his wife and children as well as to the Shared Harvest "family " RIP Bob

We will never forget Bob's kindness, compassion, and his deep love of
animals. Thank you for opening your heart, your home, and garden to
us over the years. Your friendship was warm and special. Your knowledge and willingness to share it with us was a gift we will long cherish. May your memory be a blessing to us all and a constant reminder to love God's earth, people, and creatures great and small!

Thanks, Bob, for opening your heart, home, and garden to our
Shared Harvest communiy. Your friendship and compassion has been
an amazing gift to us all. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for you and always remember your kindness and love for
us and the beautiful animals that always surrounded you. You will be dearly missed, but always remembered.

Susan and Logan VanDenBerg

We will truly miss the kind spirit of Bob Kauer. We only knew Bob for the past few years after we joined the Shared Harvest garden in 2016. It was a special time visiting with Bob early in the morning at the garden. He was always warm and friendly and made you feel welcome and valuable. Our hearts are sad and go out to Jama, Bob's children, Regan and Matt and his sisters, Kay and Pam.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you,

While I did not know Bob well, I was a part of the garden for several years. It has been so important to me. I talk about it all the time and have taken many people there to show them. The fact that someone was willing to share there land (and for awhile their bathroom!) with people they don't know is amazing to me. That Bob made the effort to explore various strategies of creating a community garden and putting such a great plan in place for the benefit of others shows so much about who he was and what a giving soul he had. He truly gave a gift that kept on giving. Thanks Bob and Jama

Deb Ruddell

Thank you, Bob, for trusting strangers and believing in the shared human spirit that connects us all. You allowed my family to join in your beautiful experiment in the power of social relationships and ecological connection. I've never experienced anything like it, and might not ever again. But your vision lives on and will forever shape our ways of seeing the world. With love and gratitude.

Bob, You were the kind of person that everyone liked in an instant. Your warmth and generosity are a rare commodity in this world. Your gift of the Shared Harvest garden helps 80-plus families know what it is like to till the earth and experience the bounty it can bring. The love we all put into that garden often produced surplus to share beyond the garden, so others could enjoy the taste of organically grown food. Bob, you were one of the rare souls that nourishes and enriches the lives of everyone you touch. You will be sorely missed. Much love and condolences to Jama and the rest of your family.

Bob was a warm, intelligent and kind man. His love of horses, dogs and all creatures will be missed and remembered. Bob was an innovator and an all around "good guy" who will be missed greatly! The Shared Harvest Community garden was amazing and a place I will always remember and cherish. Bob was always kind and patient and understanding and he liked to be surrounded by like minded people. So many were fed and nurtured in this environment and the children who were lucky enough to be part of this experiment will perpetuate Bob's legacy in the years to come. He will live on in our hearts.

Bob was kind,this is a simple thing to say but is something we should all strive to be,and Bob was generous another great quality we will try to emulate,and he had an open and loving heart.We will miss him.Helen and Otis

Bob was a great guy always willing to help anyone in need.