All members of our campus community are invited to a candlelight remembrance ceremony 5-5:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, to honor Colorado State University students, faculty, and staff, and retired employees who passed away this academic year.
Our mother Betty Marie Espinoza (Gallegos) entered into eternal peace on March 4 at home surrounded by her family and friends.
Betty was born on April 29, 1938, to Eduardo Gallegos and Francesquita Chavez in San Luis. She is preceded in death by her brothers Tom and Edward Gallegos; she is survived by her brother, Paul Gallegos, and her sister, Carmen Martinez.
She leaves behind her son, David Espinoza, and her daughter, Renee Lesser; her grandchildren, Leche Johnston and Dalton Lesser; her great grandchildren, Jaxson and Korbin Johnston.
She worked at Colorado State University for 28 years as an administrative assistant. She was very proud to serve her church through efforts of the altar and rosary society, Fiesta Fundraisers and Christmas bazaars.
A viewing at Bohlender Funeral Chapelwas held Friday, March 6. Funeral serviceswere held on Saturday, March 7, at Holy Family Catholic Church a rosary at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Catholic mass at 9:30a.m., and a reception.
God had given our mom two beautiful angels from heaven that cared for her over the last year. So much gratitude, love and respect for her sister, Carmen Martinez, and her sister in law, Jane Espinoza, for their endless love in honoring her wishes to remain at home. We owe a great deal of thanks and love for their selfless devotion over the past year.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions be made to Holy Family Catholic Church or Gateway Hospice, both of Fort Collins, in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.
Jay Melvin Hughes, former Dean and Professor of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources at Colorado State University, from 1977 through 1991, passed away on March 2, after a short illness. After leaving CSU he went on to pursue humanitarian assignments through ACDI/VOCA and Winrock International which included planning, evaluation, development and leadership of programs in Honduras, Bolivia, Panama, Nepal, Bhutan, Uganda, Sudan and Tajikistan. He was team leader of the forestry evaluation during a National Academy of Sciences review of natural resources programs in Nepal. He led the analysis of forestry research in Bhutan and prepared recommendations for program improvements and research staff training. He analyzed program needs and developed and implemented the plan for a new Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Biology at the Escuela Agricola Panamericana, the premier agricultural school of Latin America, at Zamorano, Honduras. He also served on its Board of Trustees for eight years. In Bolivia, over a period of nine years, he led the redesign of a new environmental research and technology transfer institute, developed research planning and proposal preparation guides, reviewed and recommended curriculum changes and assisted in strategic planning in agriculture and forestry at four universities and large agricultural research and technology transfer organizations. In Panama he assisted a private foundation to develop a strategic plan with a focus on establishing a new high school featuring agro-forestry; he worked with three non-profits in Uganda and with the Ministry of Agriculture of Western Bahr El Ghazal Province in Sudan to develop strategic plans for agricultural development and eco-tourism. He assisted water users association in Yangiobod, Tajikistan to develop a proposal for refurbishing a drinking water system. Jay is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Lou; and is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Anne McClester of Aurora and Laura Williams (Hank) of Loveland; his grandsons Heath Jay (Jesse) of Gillette, Wyoming, Hunter Williams of Loveland; his granddaughter Kimberly Dubensky (Christopher) of Streetsboro, Ohio; and his great granddaughter Emma Dubensky. Services will be held at 2 p.m. April 11 at Parkview United Congregational Church, 12444 East Parkview Drive, Aurora. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Aurora History Museum or Parkview United Congregational Church.
Donald L. Crews, 79, of Fort Collins, died March 8, after a short illness.
Don was born on Dec. 8, 1935, in Culbertson, Nebraska, to Paul and Vera (Spence) Crews. He attended public schools in Culbertson, graduating in a class of 23 students. He received a bachelor's degree in forest utilization from Colorado State University, a master's degree in forest products from Michigan State University and a doctorate in wood products engineering from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University.
In 1959, Don was married to Roberta Atkinson. To this marriage, three children were born: James, Thomas and Gail. Don and Roberta later divorced. Don and Diane Jones were married in 1976.
Don was a member of the faculty of the Department of Forest Sciences in the College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University for 36 years. He retired in 1999 as associate professor emeritus. For 15 years, he served as assistant dean of the college, where he coordinated their undergraduate and summer employment programs. Don was an excellent recruiter and the enrollment of the college was at its highest during his tenure in the dean's office.
Don was active in Fort Collins local government. He served eight years on the city planning and zoning board (two as chairman), four years on the Larimer County Urban Growth Area Review Board (one as chairman), and was a member of the West Side Neighborhood Planning Committee. Don always treasured his small town heritage. In 2003, he wrote a successful proposal to FEMA to acquire a new $250,000 fire engine for his hometown (pop. 596).
Don loved going to his family "hunting lodge" (Crews Farms) in Nebraska to hunt pheasants, quail, and turkeys. Accompanied by family members and friends, he always described these outings as "a few days of hunting, watching college and pro football games, telling great jokes, eating lots of red meat and drinking good whiskey and wine." In addition to hunting, he enjoyed his many hiking trips to England with Diane, traveling (as of 2010, he had spent at least one night in all 50 states), cooking, working at the National Western Stock Show, Colorado Rockies baseball, and golfing. During his retirement, he volunteered at the Larimer County Food Bank, as a driver for SAINT, and at the Colorado Welcome Center. He was an active member of the Poudre Golden K Kiwanis Club for many years, serving as its president in 2010-2011, and he enjoyed the camaraderie of a group of friends who met every Wednesday morning for breakfast.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; brother, Tom (Jan) of Federal Way, Washington, and Scottsdale, Arizona; son, Jim (Jan) and grandchildren, Ashley and Kiley of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Boulder; son Tom, (Brenda) and grandchildren, Tommy and McKenna of Loveland; daughter, Gail (Michael) Berkery and grandchildren, Abigail and Ethan of Golden; and stepson, Sean (Beverly) Jones and grandchildren, Meredith and Cooper of Golden.
At Don's request, and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University to support the Crews Family Scholarship for Pingree Park. Cremation has taken place and his remains will be scattered at a favorite spot at a later date.
Friends and associates are invited to join the family at a wake from 4-6 p.m. on a date to be announced later, at the Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, for fellowship, sharing of memories, and partaking of some adult beverages and munchies.
Richard D. Hershcopf, 92, a Ft. Collins resident for 46 years, passed away at home on Feb. 1, following a stroke in November. Dick lived his life fully and made his mark on the world. When asked how he wanted to be remembered after his death, Dick said, "that I was always interested in the good of the country and of mankind, and tried to help bring about a better world through political work for peace, civil liberties, the preservation of the environment, and social and economic justice for all people."
Dick was born April 9, 1922, in New York City and grew up in a close-knit Jewish family, the son of Irving and Shirley Hershcopf, with his younger sister Dorothy, whom he adored. He enjoyed school, played stickball in the street with friends, rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and loved listening to music and engaging in lively conversations. Dick was a proud product of Brooklyn public schools; his quick mind and incredible memory enabled him to graduate from Boys High School at age 16.
Continuing his education at Brooklyn College, Dick majored in history and planned to become a teacher. In November 1942, he was one semester shy of graduating when he was drafted. Dick was honorably discharged in 1946; because of his service, the college granted him the missing credits and dated his Bachelor's degree June 1943. Dick was proud to have served in the Allies' fight against fascism and the Nazis.
After the war, Dick enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue an advanced degree. He earned his Master's in history in 1949, and a second Master's in library science in 1959. At the university Dick met the love of his life, Marian, who was also a graduate student and a Holocaust escapee from Vienna. He knew from early on that she was special—his intellectual equal and someone who shared the vision of promoting a more fair, just and peaceful world. They were married August 29, 1948, and remained happily married for more than 66 years.
Dick began his career as a librarian at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and then became head librarian at Western State College in Gunnison in 1961. He worked the last 17 years of his career as associate director of Libraries at Colorado State University. Dick demonstrated great dedication to his profession, his colleagues and the communities they served, and retired as a respected and valued professional in 1985.
Dick's commitment to social justice and civil rights was unwavering. He contributed to and volunteered for many organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Rocky Flats Coalition. He also supported his local community by working on political campaigns and volunteering as a "Reading Buddy" at Putnam Elementary School.
Dick was an avid reader, an inveterate consumer of news and information and a life-long learner, attending lectures, taking Front Range Forum and Elderhostel classes, and traveling to many foreign countries. An eclectic music-lover, Dick was especially fond of jazz and was a member of the Northern Colorado Traditional Jazz Society. He and Marian were regulars at Avogadro's jazz concerts, and particularly enjoyed listening to the Poudre River Irregulars. They were also season ticket holders to the Fort Collins Symphony, OpenStage Theatre and Bas Bleu Theatre for many years.While living in Gunnison, Dick tested out his amateur acting chops with the Webster Players and also learned to cross-country ski. He loved the outdoors; Dick and Marian hiked or skied with friends almost every weekend. He appreciated art, good food and a good joke. Dick had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh.
Above all else, Dick's family was his priority; he demonstrated his love for and pride in each of them. An early feminist, Dick encouraged and supported his daughters and granddaughters in all their endeavors. To Dick, "family" meant extended family, and he got tremendous pleasure from spending time with relatives; he recalled their many visits and reunions with great fondness.
Dick was truly interested in people from all walks of life and made many life-long friends. Though he had strong opinions, he was open to new ideas and listened to others' perspectives. Dick treated everyone with dignity and respect, no matter their race, religion, or economic or social status. Many people experienced the exceptional person Dick was—a kind, vibrant, intelligent, caring and optimistic neighbor, colleague, friend and volunteer. Dick looked for the good in people; his belief in the power of people to bring about change and his activism and advocacy for a better world is his true legacy.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife Marian and his three daughters and sons-in-law: Jane Looney and Andy Looney of Fort Collins, Eve Hershcopf and Gregory Lewis of Hercules, CA, and Debra Hershcopf Kennedy and Harry Kennedy of Boulder. He is also survived by his five grand-daughters and their families: Allison (Looney) Quijano and Chris Quijano and their son Maxwell of Gilbert, AZ, Rachel Kennedy and Caitlin McShane of Boulder, Gabrielle Kennedy of San Francisco, Laura Lewis and Nina Lewis of Hercules, CA. In addition, Dick is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Harry Goodman of Lincoln, MA, his sister-in-law Lee Zall of San Gabriel, CA and many nieces, grandnieces, nephews, grandnephews and cousins.
A private family celebration of Dick's life will be held in the spring. If you would like to honor Dick's memory, please consider giving a contribution to the ACLU Foundation of Colorado (303 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 350, Denver, CO 80203 www.aclu-co.org), Pathways Hospice (7604 Carpenter Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80525 www.pathways-care.org) or a charity of your choice.
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Dr. Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr., professor in CSU's Department of Design and Merchandising, died peacefully at home with his family beside him, on Feb. 12, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Ken was born April 2, l953, at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Wickford, Rhode Island, the son of Kenneth and Joyce (Brown) Tremblay. He traveled extensively throughout his youth as the son of an army officer. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and his master's and Ph.D. from Washington State University.
Ken began his 30-year career at Colorado State University in 1985 after teaching at universities in South Dakota, Nebraska and Arkansas. He had an exemplary teaching, research and service career. Ken authored nearly 300 publications, including many books. He had a passion for teaching and served as an adviser and mentor to nearly 100 students seeking advanced degrees. He was active in the Housing Education and Research Association and served as editor and president. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of housing education and research, the association recently presented Ken with its Distinguished Service Award.
Ken leaves behind his parents, Joyce and Kenneth Tremblay of Mansfield Center, CT; daughter Tamara Multanen, son-in-law Jay, and granddaughter Lucie, of Garden City, ID; son Kenneth "Rick" Tremblay, III, and daughter-in-law Brandy of Loveland; and partner Malinda Sloan. He also leaves behind his brother Keith Tremblay, sister Karen (Mitchell) Perlstein, sister Kathryn (Dave) Baber; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Ken will be dearly missed.
A celebration of life will be from 3-6 p.m., Thursday, May 21, Aylesworth Hall, dLab. For more information regarding the celebration, contact Malinda Sloan at malinda.sloan@colostate.edu. A private memorial service will be held for family and relatives in Connecticut this summer.
Surrounded by loved ones, Everett Eugene “Gene” Harris, 79, of Fort Collins, passed away Sunday, Feb. 15. Gene was born Feb. 5, 1936, in Burns, WY. He was the third of four children born to George Everett and Delila (Dilley) Harris. His siblings were George Harris (deceased), Pearl Gray of Downey, CA, and Don Harris of Shawnee, OK. Gene grew up in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Chadron, Neb., before graduating from Loveland High School. He attended California State University at Long Beach in Long Beach.
In his early years, Gene worked for Wyoming Hereford Ranch in Cheyenne, back in the days when cowboys still had a remuda of horses and when everything was done horseback. In his spare time, he competed in rodeos. Gene’s cowboy and ranching experiences provided him a lifetime of colorful stories that he loved to share with his children and grandchildren who would plead with him, “Grandpa, tell us a story.” He was a real cowboy and was definitely the “Dr. McDreamy” of his day, but in those days he was more likely to be referred to as a real “Marlboro Man.”
Gene deeply loved horses and was a farrier his entire working life. In addition to operating his own business, he taught farrier science at Colorado State University. He assisted dozens of young men and women farrier apprentices in the establishment of their own farrier careers. Gene enjoyed difficult cases where he assisted in returning a lame horse to soundness. He believed in working hard and took the greatest enjoyment from his work and his customers. He enjoyed a successful career and was well respected by those in the Northern Colorado equine community.
In 1963, Gene married Wanda Morgan and together they raised their children. Today, their family has grown to include 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His parents, his brother George, and his sons, Scott Hoganboom, Jerry Harris, and K.C. Harris preceded Gene in death. He is survived by his wife, Wanda; his brother, Don, his children Diana Hollaway, Dennis Harris, and Marty Hoganboom; grandchildren, Lindsey (Troy), Keaton (Liza), Kayleigh, Katie, Raymond, David, Kyle, Sarah, Randy, and Jered; great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gene's family wants to express its gratitude to the wonderful staff at Columbine Health Systems who provided extraordinary care and who helped to make Gene's final journey a peaceful one supported by compassion and respect.
Gene is fondly remembered as a man with a big heart, a true and loyal friend, and someone who never hesitated to help anyone in need. A celebration of Gene's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22 at The Lodge at Mackenzie Place, 4751 Pleasant Oak Drive, Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Everett E. Harris Memorial Fund in care of Alluntt Funeral Service. Donations will support a memorial scholarship awarded to an aspiring horseshoer.
Gregory Merrill Scheie, born May 30, 1950, in Enderlin , North Dakota, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the wee hours of Thursday morning, Feb. 5.
Raised in Enderlin, Greg graduated from Enderlin High School in 1968. After high school Greg enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam as a radio operator. Honorably discharged in in 1971, he returned home to Enderlin. Lured by the construction boom happening in Colorado in the early 1970s, Greg soon moved to Ft Collins, where he stayed until his death, although he still always referred to North Dakota as home.
Greg was a jack-of-all-trades and excelled at woodworking. Throughout the last 40 years Greg has worked in the construction business as a carpenter, for Colorado State University in the Housing Maintenance Department, and for the City of Ft. Collins.
Greg was friendly to everyone, knew everyone by name, and always carried candy in his pocket for his children and his granddaughter. But most of all, Greg was an animal lover. He had dog treats in the other pockets for all of the neighbor dogs he encountered as he walked his dog, Sadie, every day. He fed the birds in his trees and built houses for the squirrels to nest in, and in which they would raise their babies. He took care of strays. His dog Sadie is still waiting for him by the gate.
Greg is survived here in Colorado by his children, Dylan and Dayna Scheie; by his granddaughter, Lilly Ann Woodward; by Jesse Neth, and by the love of his life and constant companion for the last 22 years, Sheri Harper.
There will be a celebration of Greg's life at his and Sheri's home, 305 Sitzman Way, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.
Interment will be at a later date in Enderlin, North Dakota.
Mark T. Gilderhus, a professor of U.S. diplomatic history, died at his home in Fort Collins on Thursday, January 22, of cancer. He taught at Colorado State University for 29 years, serving as the chair of the History Department from 1980 to 1993. In 1997, he accepted the Lyndon Baines Johnson Chair in History at Texas Christian University, where he served in this capacity until his retirement in 2010. He was the author of numerous articles and books, and described himself as a "scholar of war, politics, and diplomacy." Mark had a wonderful sense of humor, a generous spirit and was a kind colleague and friend. He was also a loving husband, father, and brother. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Gilderhus, of Fort Collins, and his two daughters: Kirsten Gilderhus, of Fort Collins; Lesley Jones, of Fort Collins; and three grandchildren Della Fisher, and Morgan and Jake Jones. He also is survived by a sister, Susan Zakeer, of Blaine, MN. Memorial donations may be made to Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations (SHAFR) with a note in memory or honor of Mark Gilderhus, and sent to Professor Peter Hahn, Executive Director of SHAFR, Department of History, Ohio State University, 106 Dulles Hall, 230 West 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Columbine Room in the Lincoln Center, Fort Collins. Visit bohlenderfuneralchapel.com to view the full obituary and send condolences.
Beneath the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, John "Doc" Cheney peacefully passed on Feb. 5.
Born to Howard and Johanna Cheney August 22, 1930, Dr. Cheney, lived in Estes Park as a child and graduated from Estes Park High School. He worked for Steads Ranch and was a horse wrangler for tourists. He spent 4 years in the US Air Force, received his Bachelors of Science degree in 1958 from Colorado State University, and went on to complete his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Masters of Science degrees at CSU. 
He was on the veterinary staff at CSU from 1960 to 1964 before pursing private practice in Benkelman, Neb., for two years and spending a year as a research veterinarian for the Monsanto Chemical Company. Research was his passion and the focus of his career. In 1967 he was recruited by CSU to be on a veterinary team in Nairobi, Kenya, as Colorado Chief of Party. Dr. Cheney took his wife and two daughters on a 5 year journey to Kenya where he, along with staff members from 4 other countries, taught at the veterinary college in Kabete, Kenya, and was instrumental in the development of a DVM degree program and numerous improvements in the livestock sector in Senegal. Besides the many friends he made through his experience in Kenya, Dr. Cheney and his family had the opportunity to enjoy numerous safaris on the African plains and visited many countries in Europe and Asia.
Upon returning to the United States, he took a teaching position at CSU in the School of Veterinary Medicine as head of the Parasitology Section in the Diagnostic Laboratory and became known to faculty, colleagues and students as "Doc." He gave more than 42 years of service to CSU, retiring in August of 2005.
Dr. Cheney was the president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association from 1986 to 1987, and was a member and held the office of president with the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, and the Larimer County Stockgrowers Association. Doc was an active member of the Larimer County Fair and Rodeo, assisting with the testing of 4-H animals, serving on the fair board, and being an avid supporter of the Larimer County FFA and 4-H Junior Livestock Sale. In 2004 Doc received an award from the Larimer County Fair Association for 14 years of dedicated service and, in 2005, was the grand marshall of the parade. Other notable awards include Colorado Veterinarian of the Year in 1988, Outstanding Veterinarian Award in 2002 from the Larimer County Veterinarian Medical Association, the Carl Norden Pfizer Distinguished Teachers Award in 2005 from Pfizer Animal Health, and the Lifetime Membership Award from the Larimer County Stockgrowers Association in 2009.
Dr. Cheney leaves behind his brother Robert Cheney (Lois), daughters Karen Hancock (Sam), and Dianne Cheney, granddaughter Aspen Hancock and grandson Dillon Hancock, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, along with some four legged grandchildren and hopefully many herds of healthy cattle that benefited from his research.
A memorial service will be at 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, Allnutt Funeral Home chapel, 650 West Drake Rd, Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of "Doc" Cheney to the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, 8833 Ralston Rd, Arvada, CO 80002.
Visit www.allnutt.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.