Robert Gene Minard

 Robert Gene Minard (March 16, 1931 - November 12, 2024)

 Bob was born and raised in Seattle Washington. Following high school graduation, he attended the University of Washington. During that time he was an offensive guard for the nationally ranked Huskies. He played and blocked on the football team during the year that Hugh McElhenny won the Heisman trophy. Following graduation, Bob joined the sales team for United Airlines in 1954 and remained with United until he retired in 1993 as an account executive. He married Carolyn Lemly Fenton in 1964 in Arlington, VA. In 1993, he and Carolyn moved to Wintergreen to join their son, Norm Fenton, wife Barbara, and their three children, Russ, Rob, and Kelsey, who had previously moved to Wintergreen.

 Bob had a passion for skiing and turned that passion into a second profession. Bob became a legend at Freestyle Ski Shop in Charlottesville and of course on Wintergreen Mountain. He was so dedicated, he actually became a registered “master” boot fitter and was mentioned in a national ski magazine as one of the 10 best ski boot fitters in the country. Skiers had to make a reservation to have Bob (also known as Mr. Boot) personally attend to their boot issues. It was a job that he loved. He even customized boots for a Norwegian women's Olympic skier during her visit to Wintergreen. Bob continued to ski into his eighties; however orthopedic issues curtailed his downhill runs in 2014. 

 Bob leaves behind scores of friends and family including Norm (Peggy Watts Gup), Barbara Fenton (Chuck Thornsvard), Sister Patty Minard Kizer, grandchildren Russell (Alexandra Berardi), Robert (Erin Clark Fenton), Kelsey, and great grandchildren Amari and Isaiah. We all will miss his ever present smile, his cranberry blazer, and his thirst to always keep learning and reading.

 A service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).