In Memoriam

Dave Aitken ’60 as pictured in the 1960 Telesis

David Lyall Aitken ’60

“Dave the Welder” Aitken passed away on November 11, 2017. He lived in Cedaredge, Colo. and was born in Denver to Leonard Aitken Jr. and Cora McMurtry Aitken on July 20, 1941. Dave spent his childhood in Denver, graduating from Colorado Academy in 1960. He was active in sports, including Football, Basketball, and Track, and loved to ski and free climb. After a few years at the University of Colorado, Dave settled on the welder’s trade. He was fond of old cars, motorcycles, and his beloved cats. He married the love of his life, Judith A. Smith Aitken, on December 19, 1987, in Cedaredge. He is survived by his daughters, Catherine Aitken Weeks of Grand Junction; Deborah Aitken Rash (John) of Cedaredge; and Katherine Aitken Fairchild (Matt) of Cheyenne, Wyo.; three grandchildren, Alyssa (22), Jesse (20), and Isabella (16); brothers, Len ’61 (Susan) Aitken, and James Aitken; sister, Candy Nichols, and numerous other family members. Dave was preceded in death by both of his parents and his wife Memorial contributions can be made to: HopeWest Hospice P.O. Box 24 Delta, CO 81416. Condolences may be sent to: Len Aitken 4204 Tamarack Court Boulder, CO 80304-0991

Chip Irwin ’70

Bruce R. “Chip” Irwin ’70

Chip was born August 25, 1951 and died in 2013. He inherited from his great-grandfather, Leaton Irwin, a keen interest in communications and applied it to telecommunications while working as a Coordinator and Computer-Aided Design System Consultant for AT&T in Denver. His colleagues spoke of his vast reservoirs of knowledge, which made him both interesting and resourceful, and his sense of fun. At Colorado Academy, Chip was very athletic and played on several teams. He was the Hockey goalie, a member of the downhill Ski race team in Aspen, a mountain and rock climber, and a cyclist. Most of all he loved trains. The history of his train riding, which extended from around the time he was a toddler until he died, was a central love of his life. This was reflected in the assemblage of railroad items which he collected over his life and which now reside in the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colo. Chip grew up in Aspen, surrounded by the world of classical music in the Aspen Music Festival where his mother was a trustee. His family home was the scene of gatherings where world class musicians and composers congregated and rubbed shoulders with celebrated benefactors. It certainly developed his love of music. Chip rode the wave of rock and roll in the’60s and later applied his talents to being a road manager for singers and groups such as Billy Joel and Yes. He involved himself with the fast developing technology, which later directed him to AT&T, where he applied his talents to work in the high tech world. The combination of his brilliant mind, his creative edge, his rather obscure humor, and the sense of railroads and routing became his signature among his work colleagues.

Lex Lubchenco ’60 as pictured in the 1960 Telesis

Alexis Eleasar Lubchenco III ’60

BY R. GARRETT MITCHELL ‘60, AKA MITCH He had the longest name in the Class of 1960—Alexis Eleasar Lubchenco III—and the shortest nickname—Lex. He died far too early on May 28, 2019—at age 77—but lived longer than any male in the Lubchenco family for at least three generations, and perhaps more. He entered Colorado Academy as a Junior in the Fall of 1958 and graduated in June 1960, one of four members in Headmaster Chuck Froelicher’s first graduating class. Befitting his Russian heritage, there was about Lex the quality that Winston Churchill once ascribed to Russia itself: It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Lex’s classmate, Gary Wilkinson, still tells the story of a comment by CA English teacher, Will ‘Jerry’ James, who said of Lex that he worried about him because ‘you never do anything wrong.’ And as far as any of us know, it was a comment that could have been offered during Lex’s last days. Because if you queried any of his family or friends, or

the thousands of students who encountered him in his 31 years at Tibbetts Middle School in Farmington, N.M., the descriptions would have been gentle, patient, quiet, thoughtful, fair, and generous. And as those closest to him knew, there was also stubborn! When Lex had made up his mind, it was ‘case closed,’ and that included an aversion to the internet and all its platforms. Like his father, Dr. Alexis Lubchenco II, and brother Mark, CA class of 1970, in 2000 Lex’s big heart required bypass surgery. He retired the following year, but beginning in 2015 the awful disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) began its relentless attack on his body, but never his mind or spirit. Lex and his wife of 49 years, Cathy Olsen Lubchenco, created a wonderful family— sons Alexis IV (wife Tara), Nicholas, and daughter Sara (husband Adam Burson); granddaughters Rachel and Emma Burson and Portia Lubchenco, and grandson James Burson. Along with his sister, Ann Lubchenco Hines, they all survive Lex. It was 65 years ago this Summer that a green and white Ford station wagon carrying the six Lubchencos pulled into the driveway at 250 Kearney Street in the thennew development known as Crestmoor, directly across the street from the Mitchell family at 245 Kearney Street. A book could be written about the intervening years, but we’ll leave that for another time. Lex would have been a full chapter. And we miss him. Condolences may be sent to: Cathy Lubchenco and Family 203 West 31st St. Farmington, NM 87401-4024

Mark Lubchenco ’70

With contributions from Ann Lubchenco Hines Mark (age 67), surrounded by family, passed away at his home on July 15, 2019, after a brief battle with cancer. Throughout his illness, Mark maintained the same positive attitude which was the hallmark of this life. Also, he shared the story of the end of his life in hopes that it would help others at the end of theirs. Mark came to Colorado Academy as a Freshman and graduated in 1970. He played on the CA Soccer team all four years and was on the staff of the Telesis yearbook. With a select few Seniors, Mark was a member of the WNISN Club, a small and very secret society, “Wednesday Night Is Shakey’s Night”—a pizza place in Cherry Creek. Mark enjoyed skiing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding, especially at South Padre Island, on the coast of Texas. At his second home on a small lake in Nebraska, Mark enjoyed water skiing and spending time with his family and friends. Although he was a successful businessman and entrepreneur, Mark’s top priority was always having enough time to support and play with his family. Being a recovering alcoholic for over 37 years was also a top priority for Mark. AA was his support system, and he gave back by always being willing to tell his story of alcoholism and sobriety in the hopes that it would help another alcoholic. Over the years, Mark was a sponsor for many recovering alcoholics. Mark maintained a large circle of friends throughout his life and was always willing to lend a helping hand, listen patiently, and give sound counsel. He did this with a wonderful sense of humor and being able to laugh at himself. We all enjoyed what we lovingly called his “Markisms.” An example of a Markism would be when he would say, “I’ll show me!” when he or one of us was reacting to hurt another but really hurting ourselves. Another one that his son Sterling just used recently is “That is a permanent solution for a temporary problem.” Mark was loved by many, and many considered him their best friend. “Our Mark” will be greatly missed. Mark is survived by the love of his life, his wife Roberta, children Cody and Sterling, and sister Ann Lubchenco Hines. He was preceded in death by brothers Alexis (Lex) Lubchenco ’60 and Michael (Mike) Lubchenco ’62.

Mark Lubchenco ’70 Eric Masinter ’17

Condolences may be sent to: Roberta Lubchenco and Family 1076 S. High St. Denver, CO 80209-4553

Eric Masinter ’17

BY DR. MIKE DAVIS Eric died by suicide on July 9, 2019, after a long battle with serious mental illness. For those who knew Eric, you’ll recall his remarkable intellectual curiosity. At CA, he was an accomplished computer science student and took part in the American Computer Science League (ACSL). He also volunteered at CA’s annual Computer Science Festival. By the time Eric had graduated from high school, he was already an accomplished writer, having completed two novels. Prior to graduation, he described the powerful experience of reading the first book of Wheel of Time, a series of high fantasy novels by Robert Jordan, when he said, “It came into my head to write a book of my own, so I sat down at my computer and started that. I enjoyed doing so, and I kept at it until I had written a full book.”In September 2017, he published his first fantasy book, The God in the Shadows, on Amazon, under the pen name Nikolas TorVald. It was to be the first in a series of four books. Eric also competed in Cross Country, Track, and Rock Climbing for CA. After graduating, he went to Middlebury College in Vermont as part of the Class of 2021. During his time there, he contributed articles to the Campus student press and presented his artwork as part of the Spring Student Symposium. Eric also expanded his musical

Thomas P. Wood Sr. as pictured in the 1947 Colorado Military School yearbook passions by studying music theory and playing his piano, melodica, and guitar. Eric is survived by his parents, Kathy and Rob Masinter of Arvada, and by his siblings, who are also CA alumni, Jesse Masinter ‘15 and Sarah Masinter ‘17. Condolences may be sent to: The Masinter Family 15631 W. 79th Pl. Arvada, CO 80007-7809

Thomas P. Wood Sr. ’47

Born on March 26, 1928, in Denver, Colo. to William M. and Ruby I. Wood, Thomas passed on August 24, 2019 at the age of 91. Thomas graduated from Colorado Military School in Denver and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and devoted his life to recycling. He was often referred to as the “Godfather of San Antonio Recycling” for this efforts in establishing the curbside recycling program and various charitable recycling groups across the city. Preceding him in passing were: his wife, Mary Louise Wood; sister, Julane Lee Quinlin; brother, William Myric Wood; and grandchild, John Coston Nation. Surviving relatives include: sons, Thomas P. Wood Jr. (Kim), James Edward Nation III; sister, Ruby Dianne Wilbur; grandchildren, Barrett A. Wood, James Edward Nation IV, Jeffrey Allen Nation, Justin Tyler Nation; great-grandchildren, Tyler Wayne Nation and Savannah Lee Nation. Condolences may be sent to: Thomas P. Wood Jr. 27010 Camirillo Creek Ln. Katy, TX 77494 W hile visiting Graland Country Day in her capacity as the Executive Director of the Challenge Foundation, Holly Ruderman Dichter ’00 ran into her former teacher Jenn Adams and CA alumnae. Stephanie Bakken, former Upper School Spanish teacher, visited with Joanna Hyde while in Gougane Barra, Ireland. Betsey Coleman, former Upper School English teacher, graduated from Dar Al Islam Teachers’ Institute - Teaching and Understanding Islam and Muslims. Tom Lee, Assistant Headmaster and teacher from 1960-1971, is 95 ½ and residing in an assisted living complex in Boise, Idaho. He is healthy and busy with church activities, writing church related material, and still playing his trombone. According to Tom Fitzgerald, Lee sounds like he always did, with a rough growl of a voice. Angel Vigil, former Director of the Fine and Performing Arts, enjoyed a wild and crazy adventure this Summer, hiking continuously the entire Colorado Trail. The 486 miles took him from Denver to Durango. The highest point is 13,271feet, and most of the trail is over 10,000 feet in elevation. It crosses eight mountain ranges, seven national forests, six wilderness areas, and five river systems. Angel climbed a cumulative 89,354 feet of elevation. He explored the Colorado Trail from three different perspectives: historical, cultural, and personal. n

Former Faculty News

From Left: Holly Ruderman Dichter ’00, former CA Athletic Director/PE teacher Jenn Adams, Graland teacher Tara Jackson Kochevar ’04, Graland teacher Julia Annison ’97

Joanna Hyde ‘05 (L) and Stefanie Bakken

Betsey Coleman (L) with fellow graduate Julius Michael Angel Vigil on the Colorado Trail

CA Alumni Association

Important Dates 2019-2020

Friday, December 6, 2019 Alumni Ice Skating Party DCC, 5:30-9 p.m.

Thursday, December 19, 2019 College Alumni Lunch Campus Center, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 Alumni Back-to-School Night

March or April, 2020 Alumni Night at a Nuggets/Avalanche Game

Friday, May 22, 2020 Giant Relay Day BBQ Lunch, Carnival for Children, The Race, Alumni-Faculty Party, Alumni-Varsity-Faculty Games

Saturday & Sunday Reunion Weekend

May 23-24, 2020 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2015

Alumni Association Board Members

First Row (L to R): Terrie Dickinson Warren ’73, Elsa Woolley ’11, Kelly Young Campbell ’98, Myles McGinnis ’08. Second Row: Zach Tucker ’01, Austin Carpenter ’05, Katie Cordes ’03, Lisa Harrison Ellsworth ’79, Georgia Grey ’08, Jared Harding ’97, Chris Bailey ’02, Aimée Nieuwenhuizen ’06. Not pictured: Alex Barton ’97, VJ Brown ’11, Courtney Engle ’08, Brian Fisher ’02, Isabel Gary ’09, Ben Hock ’07, Karl Koch ’05, Brian Parks ’96, Ashley Peterson ’06, Max Shaw ’08, Nicole Sisk Wiechecki ’01.

3800 South Pierce Street Denver, CO 80235

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Halloween Parade Through the Decades

The Halloween Parade is a much-loved CA tradition with teachers, parents, staff, and students dressing up in costumes and parading around campus in search of treats. In this photograph, former Lower School Principal, Dr. Tom Fitzgerald, leads the Halloween Parade in 1996.