Obituary of Walter R. Colligan

Walter (Walt) R. Colligan, 76, of Golden, Colorado passed away October, 16, 2023.

Born in Yonkers, NY on March 13, 1947 to John and Barbara (Slane) Colligan, he was preceded in death by his parents and brother John Colligan, Jr. He is survived by wife Nancy, daughters Kelli Colligan and Kate (Colligan) Gueldemeister, son-in-law Ralf Gueldemeister, granddaughters Ella and Nora, niece Dyan Colligan and nephew Chris Colligan.

 

Raised in his mother's home town of Saguache, CO until age 5, and then on army bases throughout the US and Germany, he returned to Colorado for university. Graduating from the University of Colorado in 1971 with a BS degree in Business, he was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lt. following ROTC. He served for two years, before joining Coors Brewing Company from which he retired in 2002 after 30 years of service.

 

He loved traveling and took his family on many road trips across the country as well as in Europe. He and Nancy fell in love with cruises and went on several “repositioning” trips to better enjoy long days at sea.

 

An eternal optimist, Walt loved his family first and foremost. He met Nancy at CU’s Folsom Field during the third game of the 1969 football season, a game Walt always remembered first for meeting Nancy, and second, for Bobby Anderson switching from quarterback to running back helping the Buffs beat Indiana. Upon graduating, they bought a small plot of land in Breckenridge and early in their marriage built a mountain chalet which holds many happy memories and where his joyful spirit will always be felt by loved ones. Walt and Nancy were happily married for 52 years.

 

He was an enthusiastic athlete, loving baseball as a youth, and always rooting for the Rockies. In college he gained a love for rock climbing, placing pitons to ascend Colorado's peaks. An expert, self-taught skier, you could hear him hooting and hollering on the powder days. He also enjoyed hiking Colorado’s “14’ers” and bicycling for Children’s Hospital Fundraisers. His enthusiasm for CU Football, however, was legendary, as many will attest, and was second only to supporting his daughters at their soccer endeavors. 

 

A celebration of life will take place at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 9200 W. 10th Ave., Lakewood on Monday, November 20, at 10 a,m. followed by a reception at Fossil Trace Golf Club. He will be laid to rest the following day at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.