4 minute read
Final Chapters
Adams State University mourns the death of Valentin “Val” Vigil, who died unexpectedly at the age of 73 on February 5, 2021, in Thornton, Colo.
Vigil served on the Board of Trustees for Adams State University from December 2011 until December 2019. He was most recently an active member of the Adams State Denver Alumni Chapter.
Vigil earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and secondary education from Adams State in 1971. He served in the Colorado State Legislature from 1999-2006, spending eight years on the Finance Committee, as chairman for two years; eight years in the Appropriations Committee; and six years in the Legislative Audit Committee, as chairman for two years. He also served for two years as the Assistant Minority Leader.
Vigil served as a city councilman for Thornton, Colo., and started his own business, Vigil & Company, Financial Consultant, in 1971, which he continued operating until his passing.
An advocate for education, Vigil volunteered many hours at local schools as a guest speaker. He was in much demand to speak on immigration issues and is considered an expert on this topic, as he was the first legislator in Colorado to introduce the in-state tuition legislation in 2000, reintroducing it three additional years.
Mary G. Cruz ’45 (Albuquerque, NM) passed away Mar 1 at the age of 98. Wayne Thomas Proctor ’53 (Walnut Creek, CA) passed away Feb 18 at the age of 89. Ernest Celestino Roybal ’54 (Pueblo, CO) passed away Jan 18 at the age of 89. William Thomas Reilly ’60 (Middleburg, FL) passed away Feb 6 at the age of 89. Jose Procopio Garcia ’61 (Alamosa, CO) passed away Feb 4 at the age of 84. Loretta June Anders ’63 (Pueblo, CO) passed away Nov 27 at the age of 79. Lenora Gould Burry ’64 (Waterloo, IA) passed away Feb 13 at the age of 88.
Gene Allan Burry ’64 (Waterloo, IA) passed away Jan 25 at the age of 90. Margery Ann Shepherd ’64, ’67 (Denver, CO) passed away Nov 18 at the age of 78. Yvonne C. Moulton ’65 (Goodyear, AZ) passed away Oct 4 at the age of 78. Gerry E. Coufal ’66, ’70 (Colorado Springs, CO) passed away Feb 5 at the age of 77. Judith Ann Harlow ’66 (Rocky Ford, CO) passed away Dec 4 at the age of 76. Rudy Adolph Gomez ’67 (Trinidad, CO) passed away Nov 29 at the age of 80.
Donald Wayne Alley ’68 (Colorado Springs, CO) passed away Nov 9 at the age of 75. George Robert McGeary ’68 (Denver, CO) passed away Jan 28 at the age of 74. John Theodore O’Leary ’68 (Henderson, CO) passed away Feb 15 at the age of 87. Juan Antonio Sandoval Jr. ’69 (El Paso, TX) passed away Jan 3 at the age of 75. Cary Dee Betts ’70, ’71 (Colorado City, CO) passed away Dec 7 at the age of 72. Michael Thomas Wheeler ’71 (Dinosaur, CO) passed away Nov 23 at the age of 77. Darrell Brent Williams ’71 (Sun Lakes, AZ) passed away Sep 8 at the age of 71. Randolph S. Gettman ’72 (Fort Morgan, CO) passed away Jan 25 at the age of 71. Dr. Ralph P. Salaz ’73, ’75 (Pueblo, CO) passed away Mar 6 at the age of 81.
Michael Kay Stotler ’73 (Penrose, CO) passed away Feb 7 at the age of 69. Josie Phyllis Lujan ’74 (Fort Collins, CO) passed away Apr 26 at the age of 90. Sam Pisciotta ’74 (Pueblo, CO) passed away Dec 1 at the age of 81. Edward T. Wisniewski Jr. ’74 (Bear, DE) passed away Dec 10 at the age of 72. David M. Lashway ’75 (Schaumberg, IL) passed away Jan 7 at the age of 69. Robert Joseph Olson ’75 (Denver, CO) passed away Feb 17 at the age of 69. Alfred E. Roybal ’75 (Alamosa, CO) passed away Dec 4 at the age of 82. Herbert Leroy Rutledge Jr. ’75 (Leesport, PA) passed away Dec 20 at the age of 72. Robyn Nelson Lee ’82 (Lehi, UT) passed away Mar 27 at the age of 68. Gene Salbato ’91 (Trinidad, CO) passed away Jan 9 at the age of 77. Josephine C. Salazar ’93, ’94 (Gilbert, AZ) passed away Feb 2 at the age of 76. Yvonne Eunice Herbert ’94 (Parker, CO) passed away Nov 26 at the age of 81.
Sheryl L. Starbuck ’02 (Montrose, CO) passed away Feb 12 at the age of 72. Salvador V. Salas ’04 (Grand Junction, CO) passed away Dec 22 at the age of 70. Melissa A. Madrid ’07 (Pueblo, CO) passed away Jan 14 at the age of 47. Tanner Jace Sterling ’18 (Boise, ID) passed away Jan 9 at the age of 32.
A-Stater Adams State University Alamosa, CO 81101
