Robert Vines 1953 – 2021

Robert “Bob” Vines, 68, passed away April 22 in Mountainair. He was born March 14, 1953, to William and Patsy (Mcnellis) Vines in Dallas, Texas. Bob spent his youth and early adulthood in the Dallas area. He had an intense interest in working in the medical field. He started working, while in high school, as a pharmacy tech at a local drug store. Although he got sidetracked working as a private detective and a bouncer at various bars, he eventually made it back to the medical field. He worked many years as a nuclear medicine and ultrasound technician. After going back to school, he became a registered nurse. He and his wife, Bonnie, decided to get out of the big city and moved to Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation. Bob worked first as the school nurse for the district. After three years he decided to go back to his passion and worked for 20 years as an Emergency Room nurse in the Indian Health Service Clinic in Kayenta. When retirement time came, he and Bonnie moved to the beautiful, friendly town of Mountainair. Bob became active in the First Baptist Church, became a volunteer for the Friends of Mountainair Animal Shelter, and served as a volunteer with the Torrance County 4-H shooting sports. He was also an active member of the Manzano Mountain Gun Club. Bob had many talents and interests. He was an avid hunter of deer, elk and dove. He loved antiques and collected cowboy and Native American antiques and artwork and participated in antique and cowboy collectible trade shows for over 20 years. He especially loved knives, old and new. He collected early American

Bowie knives and Confederate knives. He was a member and officer in the Antique Bowie Knife Association. He loved mules and enjoyed riding mules on hunting trips, trail rides and in the Mountainair area. Bob was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Vines; son, Tim Vines and wife Tara; brothers, Randy Vines and wife Cheryl, and Kevin Vines; two nephews, one niece and six great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held April 28 at the First Baptist Church in Mountainair. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or the Friends of Mountainair Animal Shelter. Pallbearers will be Tim Vines, Kevin Vines, Brandon Vines, Kent Vines, Eduyn Graterol, and Lee Tipton.