Robert Otis Triplett

Robert Otis Triplett passed away on August 18th at the age of 79 to cancer. It was one of the only things that he could not outsmart.

Bob was raised on a family farm in the small town of Rutherfordton, North Carolina. There he developed a deep appreciation for family, hard work, tomato sandwiches and, believe or not, liver mush (don’t knock it til you try it). He spent his days outside with his brother Bill, his grandfather Pa, his parents, and his dogs and to hear him tell it, there was no other way in which to spend a childhood.

Bob graduated from North Carolina State in 1968 with a degree in agriculture business-poultry, earning him a recruit visit from the Columbia Bank of Cooperatives. It was the one and only time he ever interviewed for a job. Answering the call to serve his country, Bob spent the next three years in the Air Force, serving time overseas as a decorated Aircraft Load Master during Vietnam.

In 1974, with a promotion to the Central Bank of Cooperatives in Denver, Bob packed up his family, moved to Colorado and began a new chapter of a career in which he would leave a larger impact than could be adequately summarized here. In 1977, even without the crutch of his southern sweet tea, Bob earned his Master of Business Administration from The University of Denver all the while continuing to excel at the bank. His financial wisdom and core values supported Bob’s rise from Chief Credit Officer to Executive Vice President as well as playing a crucial role in the merger of 11 banks to create CoBank. With 35 years of service, not only were Bob’s contributions as Head of International Lending critical to the formation of the new bank, but to the continued success of the institution until his retirement in 2006.

He spent his free time working out in the gym, loading his family in the VW camper, and donning full leather attire for rides on his Harley Davidson. Some of his best memories were days spent with family and friends fly-fishing the rivers of Montana or bundled up in a duck blind in the fields of Nebraska, always bringing a supply of celebratory Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon.

The small-town kid grew up to lead a big-time life, traveling the world, both for work and for pleasure. He especially enjoyed the Amalfi Coast and Greece and yet always yearned for the hills of North Carolina. He was as loyal as they come like that; never forgetting where he came from and always taking care of those around him.

Bob was an intelligent, soft-spoken man who garnered respect and fear of letting him down but would be there for you in a second if called upon. His sense of humor was dry, smart, and delivered so eloquently that at times you questioned what you heard. He always knew what he was saying though, even when he chose to speak through actions, which he did in abundance for those in his life who often sought out his advice and wisdom.

His continued following of the Colorado Rockies, his disdain for those driving with expired tags, his inability to allow anyone else to pick up a check and his unbreakable bond with his dogs are all parts of a man who left a deep impression on so many who will miss him every day.

Bob was preceded in death by his Parents Mary and Edward Triplett and his beloved dogs Willie and Tug.

Bob I survived by his children, Amy Helmick(Rick), Andy Triplett (Dhiannon), Jim Morgan (Jody), and Liz Morgan; grandchildren, Nathan Helmick, Megan Helmick, Leah Morgan, Elizabeth Morgan; his brother Bill Triplett (Teresa); nephews Ed and John Triplett; his partner Tina Bays and his sweet lab Jessie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Or to  https://freedomservicedogs.org/

Per Bob’s wishes, there will be no formal service, however a commemorative bench will be dedicated to him at Wallace Park in DTC, where he enjoyed daily walks with his dogs. The Commemoration with friends and family is tentatively scheduled for Saturday October 4th. We will be uploading a Wallace Park map and more details to follow. Feel free to check back for updates or contact a family member if you wish to attend the dedication.

BOB TRIPLETT’S FARM CREDIT CAREER 1971 to 2006 (35 Years)

ROBERT BOB TRIPLETT began his illustrious career by graduating from North Carolina State University in 1968 and then serving in the US Airforce from 1968 to 1971 during the Vietnam Conflict. Bob joined the Columbia Bank for Cooperatives in 1971 as a business analyst and quickly was noticed for his work by the Farm Credit System. He was then promoted and moved to Denver to the Central Bank for Cooperatives as a  Loan Officer, Assistant Vice President. Notably, Bob obtained his Masters of Business Administration at Denver University. His career at Central Bank flourished with him serving as Chief Credit Officer, Senior Vice President and then Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President until the dramatic merger of 11 Banks for Cooperatives in January, 1989 to form CoBank, a national bank that finances production, marketing and processing of all US agriculture and rural infrastructure. Subsequently, Bob continued his critical contribution to the merged Bank variously as Chief Credit Officer, Risk Officer and Head of International Lending until his well-deserved retirement in  2006 after 35 years of service! As importantly, he served on the principal committees composed of Executive, Senior Management, Asset Liability, Retirement Trust among others who provided strategic direction to the Bank. Qualitatively, Bob was integral to the success of the new Bank by contributing his leadership and decision making at a time of explosive growth both in size and scope of operations all the while maintaining sound financial strength, customer satisfactionand core values!