Former Faculty

computer nerd, electronics wiz, discophile, investor, gardener, conversationalist, organizer and, above all, friend. He had the eyes of an artist, the mind of an engineer, the heart of a lion, the soul of an empath, the loyalty of a Labrador, the legs of a sherpa, the arms of a lover, and the hands of a carpenter. A senseless automobile accident cut short Geoff’s life. Aliey miraculously survived the horrific crash, and her physical injuries have healed, but she may carry emotional burdens for the rest of her life. Even out of this tragedy, Geoff’s generosity of spirit shines through. His gift of organ donation has benefited at least six people directly. Those improved lives, in turn, will brighten many more lives. Geoff’s connections continue to grow. Unable as we are to know why Geoff left us so young, we have, nonetheless, felt the brilliance of him—the echoes of his life passing through our hearts and minds, leaving evidence of him, of memories and experiences yet imagined, shining a light, and guiding our journeys. Geoff will forever connect us, degrees of separation now insignificant. We are intersecting circles, pulled closer together, gravitationally, toward the center—the polestar. Consider the lucky 10-year-old boy who received Geoff’s heart. Wondrous adventures await that young man, when he begins to realize the power and passion of the new engine revving in his chest. Sleep can wait. Geoff will be deeply missed by his partner Aliey Cheah, parents Alan and Gretchen, siblings Matthew and Madeline, and grandparents Brian and Verna Goral.

A celebration of Geoff’s life took place on the CA campus on June 12, 2021. Contributions to a scholarship in Geoff’s name can be made at: giving.cu.edu/fund/geoff-goralmemorial-scholarship-fund n

Betsey and Charles Coleman at the inner harbor, Victoria, B.C.

Betsey and Charles Coleman moved to Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada in February 2021. They reported that the drive took a horrendous four days, involving white-out conditions, an avalanche, and two sets of PCR COVID-19 tests. The first set were delayed because of the avalanche. Their daughter Phoebe Coleman ’03 accompanied them on the drive, which included two cars, two dogs, and one cat. The Colemans are now settling into their new home and finding Victoria, B.C. to be everything they had hoped it might be. Charles writes, “It is amazing after having a garden where only ponderosa pines and Douglas firs would grow, to be surrounded by flowers and blossom-covered trees. Our garden is one where you throw seeds over your shoulder and then jump back to avoid the surging plants. We are five minutes from the sea and enjoy the clichéd walks along the beaches. Betsey has chronicled much of this on her Facebook pages. So, this was an idea that began as a forest fire and Trump escape and turned into a new life chapter.” Becky Russell and her husband Roger moved to Cypress, Texas, in 2020 to be closer to their daughter, Robyn Russell Stout ’88, son-in-law Peter Stout ’89, and their three grandsons. During the pandemic, Becky and Roger were able to enjoy the company of their family and play bridge online with friends all over the country. Read about Paul Krajovic, Linda Plaut, and Anne Strobridge on page 50. >>>

Correction

The gift given by Lauri Keener ’94 in honor of her former teacher Bernice Knight was incorrectly listed in the Fall CA Journal. Bernice currently lives in Colorado. We regret the error.

Blog Post from Daniel Lopez ’86

The year I graduated from CA more than 30 years ago, I was voted “Most Likely to Join the Peace Corps” in the yearbook. Now, as I am poised to depart CA and undertake volunteer service with that organization for the second time (the first being in Bolivia from 2006 to 2008), I find myself asking: “What led me here?” Was it a self-fulfilling prophecy or something in my CA education that affected my life’s decisions? Probably a bit of both, but the more I ponder it, the more I must credit Colorado Academy with laying the foundation for my path of global exploration. During my time as a CA student, I traveled to India and Venezuela, hosted an exchange student from Uruguay (who continues to be one of my best friends today), and fell in love with the Spanish language. My teachers encouraged me to embrace and build upon these experiences, which led me to take a gap year in Spain, study abroad in college in Ecuador, and get involved professionally in international affairs. A variety of overseas jobs and fellowships with the U.S. State Department followed, eventually taking me full circle and landing me back at CA as a faculty member and Director of Global Travel and Exchange Programs. For the past 6 years, I have aspired to “pay it forward” by inviting members of our community to partake in a variety of memorable journeys. I am proudest of the signature trips and exchange programs, which are now a well-established part of our school’s fabric and have provided transformational experiences to hundreds of CA students in all three divisions: LS Scotland, MS Costa Rica, MS Quebec, MS Peru, US Cuba, US Scotland, US Haiti, and US China, among others. As one can imagine, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered the nature of Global Education at CA. No longer were we able to board planes to faraway lands or host students from our partner schools. We never once wavered, however, from our commitment to building bridges with others around the world. Just a few examples: We initiated virtual exchanges with Greece, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Haiti; Dr. Vogels and I piloted a virtual Freshman Intensive, immersing our Ninth Graders in the pressing issues of immigration over two days; four CA students (Seniors Kiah May and Mackenzie Wagner, Sophomores Claire Arney and Ava Geisler) participated in a series of global dialogues with students from China, Bhutan, Russia, and India; we went ahead with the Amnesty Club’s annual Write-For-Rights event; I even invited former Peace Corps volunteers to speak by Zoom with my Advanced Seminar Spanish and Global Perspectives classes. The way I see it, the importance of global awareness has never been greater. Eventually, we will travel again. Until then, we can hold firm to our values of learning about and engaging with the world around us. Although I will no longer play a direct role in advancing cultural competency at CA, I will always carry this special place with me wherever I go! n

From Left: CA Middle School French teacher Erin Carlson, Daniel Lopez ’86, CA Summer Programs Director Jenny Wilczewski in Quebec In Spain, From Left: Daniel Lopez ’86 and Upper School Spanish Teacher Lisa Todd