Robert L Cortner

Robert Lynn Cortner, following his 86th birthday, passed away lovingly surrounded by his family.

“Grandpa,” as he was mostly known, grew up in Pueblo, Colorado. Both a self-taught and self-made man, the young Bronco’s fan lived alongside his two sisters and parents. It was these humble beginnings that Grandpa made sure to remind us and to demonstrate the value of hard work.

Grandpa exemplified his values in all he did. At 18 he joined the Air Force and following his service, put himself through school to become a Master Plumber. That career led him to Johnston Island, a nuclear disposal facility southwest of Hawaii. A period of his life he often echoed his appreciation for. From the mountain tops of the Denver Rockies to the beaches of Hawaii, he landed himself in the Valley of the Fabulous Las Vegas, where he began his splendid journey as the grandfather to the Cortner’s.

Robert’s story would not be complete without his wife, Roberta, with him side-by-side through it all. Grandpa and “Old Bird,” went on to start the family that you see before you, a family that continues to grow to this day. It all started with three girls, Latonia, Savvy, and Gypsy. This is where Grandpa started his run as the “ladies ’man,” or this generation's “girl dad”, and soon after began to embody the father figure that he would mold generations to come.

In addition to his life’s work, Roberts’ story is accompanied by his Harley Davidson trike, a centerpiece in the memories that span miles in the minds of every Cortner. Car shows, school pick-ups or Sunday drives, they remember it all. Grandpa can be remembered and seen working in his garage, his sanctuary.

Robert was as skillful as he was silly. He was as proficient as he was passionate. In essence, Grandpa was so much more than that title could ever express, a true renaissance man with more love in his heart that he knew what to do with. His legacy lives on through his 3 daughters, 17 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

As Grandpa would sing from time to time, “You are my sunshine”.

Grandpa, thank you for being our sunshine.

Our Harley man is now an eagle in the sky.

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