MEEKER, Colo. (KDVR) It’s an incredible story of resilience coming out of the fire zone near Meeker, where 87-year-old Bob Kydd has now survived two major fire disasters.
Last week, on Aug. 3, the Elk Fire destroyed his home, decades after he escaped the explosion at a famous lodge near Meeker back in 1991.
Bob chose to keep his privacy and did not want to speak on camera for an interview, but we spoke with neighbors who know him well. They say Bob is a quiet and independent man.
The community’s response to his recent loss has been an outpouring of support. A fundraiser raising more than $14,000 in less than a day.
The loss is overwhelming for Bob. His home, a place of memories and solitude, now reduced to rubble and ashes.
Bob’s home (Courtesy Rachel Wix, neighbor of Bob) Bob’s home (Courtesy Rachel Wix, neighbor of Bob) Bob’s home (Courtesy Rachel Wix, neighbor of Bob) Bob’s home (Courtesy Rachel Wix, neighbor of Bob)
“Bob’s life in Meeker is pretty structured,” said neighbor Ryan Wix. “He’s got his routine and he remains up on the hill. He is pretty quiet within the community. Everyone who does know Bob and knows Bob from the Sleepy Cat, knows he is a wonderful individual.”
Ryan talks about his early memories with Bob.
“Riding my mini bike up to Bob’s house up on the ridge from the Sleepy Cat with my brother and dad. We would go up there and visit him. He was the cook and scone man at Sleepy Cats,” said Ryan. “I got a lot of meals from him and a lot of scones full of honey. Other than that, through the years when Bob wasn’t working, we would go visit him pretty frequently and spend some time with him up on the hill at his house.”
He is known to many, but truly known by few.
Rachel Wix, Ryan’s wife, said, “Some people joke he’s kind of an urban legend. Everyone has heard of Bob Kydd, but not everybody knows Bob Kydd.”
He lives about 16 miles from town.
“I talked to him earlier today, he wants to get up to his place, but his stomach hurt being there and seeing it,” said Ryan. “He was hoping there was more left than there is, but unfortunately, it’s very devastating up there.”
Ryan and Rachel, along with other neighbors, witnessed the fire moving quickly over the ridge, leaving little time to evacuate.
A fire threatens Meeker. (Courtesy Rachel Wix)
“He (Bob) was a bit apprehensive to leave. I think he originally thought he fire was put out, he is certainly not on social media to get any notifications,” said Ryan. “Bob really got out of there. My friend Kevin, along with his daughters, helped load up to get Bob to safety.
“I would say it was within minutes when the fire reached,” Ryan recalled. “It was visible and they could feel the heat as they were getting in, loaded up in the truck. I was there as the fire crested over the ridge. I knew Bob’s place was likely gone at that point. It was a quiet time for Bob and us, and it was definitely a hard sight to see.”
Moved by Bob’s situation, neighbors started a way to help him out by starting a GoFundMe.
“It’s really hard to see someone that is 87 years young lose his entire life,” Rachel said. “That was really hard.”
“I think at the moment his plans are probably to hang tight in Meeker,” said Ryan. “So, I think the future is a little uncertain as to what it would look like. I think with enough support, I don’t think anything will feel like home, but we can do the best we can.”
That explosion Bob survived was a gas explosion at the Sleepy Cat Lodge back in 1991. The lodge was destroyed.
