Robert Joseph Maio

September 9, 1945–November 1, 2016

Father, friend, brother, grandfather, colleague, and husband Robert Joseph Maio, 71, left this earthly plane in La Quinta, California, early November 1, 2016, from complications of pancreatic cancer.

Bob had a heart of gold and was probably generous to a fault. A selfless spirit, he would give away almost as much as he would earn in an effort to help others, particularly his children and close friends. As he neared the autumn of his career, Bob simplified his life, surrounding himself with only essentials—the people he loved, golf clubs, his music, guitars, and Band in a Box.

Born September 9, 1945, in Trinidad, Colorado, the third of Mario and Carolyn (Cesario) Maio’s five children, Bobby had the competitive spirit of a firstborn and put considerable energy into everything he did. He was the kind of guy who seemed to be able to do almost anything he put his mind to—athletically, intellectually, and musically.

Though he had heart problems, Bob was an athlete—he pitched for the high school baseball team and quarterbacked the varsity team. He was also a member of the first graduating class of the then-new Cheyenne Mountain High School, the close-knit class of 1963. Throughout his adult life, Bob maintained friendships with his CMHS classmates, particularly Jack Hubby, and looked forward to jamming with them when they visited for class reunions.

He also played a fierce game of tennis—to a point that his defibrillator would shock him and everyone in his midst. But no matter which sport he was playing, Bob kindly offered compliments and encouragement to other players.

His favorite sport, though, was golf. Whether working or playing, Bob would find a way to get a golf club into his hands, a pastime that led him to California in September 2013, though the real reason for his move was to be close to his beautiful daughters and twin granddaughters, Jenna and Ella.

Bob began his career in the mid-1960s working for his parents’ business, Service Typographers, using modern technology of the day. A hard-working, dedicated person, he continued to hone his skills in the software applications–development field. Bob eventually landed in the enterprise management software industry, developing corporation-specific applications for major global firms, and traveled almost weekly toward the close of his career. Retirement and heart-health conditions led Bob on a journey to try experimental procedures in various university hospitals in an effort to reduce his medications and enjoy a longer life with his family, but the procedures weren’t the answer.

Music was Bob’s passion. He immersed much of his life in music, playing tunes with others who shared the same feelings and respected the lyrics that can make music great. When his own words wouldn’t flow, he’d strum his Martin and defer to those of his favorite songwriters.

In his earlier years, Bob, his brother Richard, friend KJ Braithwaite, and others picked, strummed, and sang JT’s “Copperline,” John Stewart’s “California Bloodlines,” the Eagles’ “Last Resort,” and anything Paul Simon. In the late ’90s through late 2000s, he, Leigh, Dave, and friends would cover five decades of music in Saturday afternoon jam sessions—from Hank Williams to Peter, Paul and Mary to Sheryl Crow. Yes, life is music, and music is life.

Yet today his guitar is silent, and “The Boxer” has fought his last.

Exactly three years ago, he wrote, “You say you are possibly looking for a fresh start. Well, for me, this move may be a fresh end.” During his final weeks, he reminisced about all those who blessed him with a rich life. We will miss his gentle, loving spirit.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Mario, mother Carolyn, sister Carol Knutson, brothers Richard and Daniel. He is survived by his brother Ronald (Valerie), new bride Joyce Hoekstra, daughters Kristen Maio and Heather Maio, son-in-law Steve Hinrichs, twin granddaughters Gabriella and Genevieve, his children's mother Candice Strand, nieces, nephews, and many lifetime friends.

Live, Breathe, Dream, Do

“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here, and it is in that spirit that we welcome you here today,” the gentle, feng shui voice affirmed.

All had awaited an awesome presence as the mood-setting music flowed into anticipatory space. Then a black-robed man resembling Robert Redford in hiking boots walked to center, smiled knowingly at his congregation, and spoke with his soft, summer breeze nature, “I invite you to breathe deeply.”

Relax. Breathe. Be yourself. Move to the beat of God’s heart.

Why Go to Church?

Many of us wait till we’re desperate, depressed, drowning in grief, or attending a wedding before we listen to what’s said inside a church—or even listen to what’s being said inside ourselves.

Still, there I was, sitting at Broadmoor Community Church, United Church of Church after a seven-week church search in as many denominations with a friend going through a divorce. We were welcomed with authentic, openly accepting smiles, and, once seated near the front, no one stared at these strangers in their midst.

Most waited expectantly for what would come next—music, excellent music!—which, since my first visit to Broadmoor Community Church five years ago, ranges from black spirituals sung by Colorado College interns to the Acme Bluegrass Band to the Swallowtail Celtic Trio to Joe Uveges. Nothing recorded. Nothing presented on a big screen. Even Music Minister Lynn Hurst, a Methodist minister openly immersing herself in the UCC experience, is an extraordinary, multitalented musician in every sense of her fiber.

And then there’s Jim Chapman.

Breathe deeply and know, in July 2002, Jim Chapman began his tenure as senior pastor in a church that needed a facelift—and I’m not talking physically, since the building and surrounding landscape was, and still is, perfectly serene. BCC needed a fresh spirit, a change in personality and direction, a voice and energy to bring forth its community and global relevance. Spirit chose the right guy.

Jim was raised Baptist, “Southern Baptist,” he emphasizes, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, but he “didn’t want to fight the battles the SBC was engaged in regarding ordination of women, women in leadership, ordination of gays, and fundamentalism. I had come to terms with these issues. So had the UCC,” Jim told me.

And in fact, the UCC truly means united. The church freely embraces all religions. BCC’s congregation comprises a blend of denominations—Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, evangelical, Presbyterian, Catholic, Lutheran, and Jewish—and a few were or still are ministers. Plus, the UCC ordained the first African American, first woman, and first openly gay to Congregational ministry. As Jim puts it, “BCC offers a safe place to dialogue in a diversity of theologies and political views.”

Sit down and sip a cup of joe with Jim. Not a judgmental bone affects his stand on equality within humanity. His soft-spoken words peppered with subtle, intelligent humor transcend into some potentially volatile environments—racial and gender equality, immigration policies, climate change, and feeding, clothing, and housing recovering drug and alcohol abusers, some of whom have sexual crimes in their past. He goes through a lot of hiking boots walking in others’ footsteps.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Coon.

Weekly, he and members of the congregation take food to Mesa House, a halfway house for men, and the B Street Food Pantry. He knows any of us could be one misfortune away from a similar situation, by choice or through an unexpected event. The church has provided support to Meadows Park Community Center, serves food at Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen, and helped found Westside CARES to help people with rent, health care, job training, and food.

Working with Together Colorado, a multiracial, multifaith community organization, Jim has learned to “appreciate that evangelical Christians form some of the most effective social justice movements in America today regarding immigration reform and abolishing the death penalty, to name just two,” just as he appreciates “that a church like ours offers an equally powerful voice for human dignity.”

Look into his eyes and you might see all the people he’s met on his travels, their religions, and their beliefs. Jim has spent sabbaticals in Singapore, Thailand, and India and received a Lilly Endowment grant for his most recent sabbatical in 2010, allowing him to spend the summer visiting New Mexico and exploring Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands. And in 2011 and 2015, being passionate about the culture, history, and language of Hispanic countries, he led church groups on immersion trips to Chiapas, México.

Good Moments Last Forever, Just in Different Form

Jim announced in April 2015 that he would be retiring. “BCC has gained many more young families, a larger membership, a more critical presence in helping those in need. We have added many new staff positions, created the best music programs in the city, both on Sundays and for the community, and we have a vibrant, growing ministry for children and youth,” he is proud to say.

And what will this young-spirited, 68-year-old world traveler do with his days ahead? “I don’t really know, but I have some dreams.”

Be still and feel his spirit.

Jim with his wife, Andrea. Photo courtesy of Charlie Coon.

Jim Chapman, husband Tom, and Leigh, June 13, 2015.