Obituary
Guest Book
1919
2011
Richard "Dick" Ferguson born 12/6/1919 in Glasgow, Scotland, died 1/25/2011 at the age of 91. Preceded in death by his wife, Janet Ferguson and his grandson Chad Westerdahl. He is survived by his 6 daughters: Susan Westerdahl-Thompson M.D. of Silverthorne, CO; Deborah Wallace of Jacksonville, FL; Candace Jenkins of Syracuse, NY; Jacque Delati of Tripoli, Lebanon; Kellye Williams of Highlands Ranch, CO; Tracye Ferguson of Golden, CO; 8 grandchildren: Aaron Westerdahl of Las Vegas, NV, Noelle Westerdahl Coats of Dallas, TX, John Wallace of Madison, WI, Brian Wallace of Jacksonville, FL, Jeff Wallace of Union City, NJ, Daniel Delati of Tripoli, Lebanon, Andrew Williams of Denver, CO, Madeline Horne of Golden, CO; 9 great-grandchildren. Dick served in the military during WWII. He was a POW and received a Purple Heart. He was also a land developer in Colorado. He was one of Leadville's city leaders and was one of the people responsible for Leadville being named "All American City" in 1958. Dick was passionate about his civic contributions. He was most noted for his fund-raising efforts on behalf of Leadville Hospital, Avista Hospital and Adams County Home for the Handicapped. He was an early pioneer for the development of local parks and recreation districts around the state. He was most proud of the building and development of Hyland Hills Golf Course and Hyland Hills Water Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Alzheimer's Association, Colorado Chapter, Inc., 455 Sherman Street, #500, Denver, CO 80203 (303)813-1669 or The Bear Creek Nursing Home and Rehab Activity Fund, 150 Spring Street, Morrison, CO 80465 (303)697-8183.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 13, 2011
Bassam Family
Thinking of you, at this time of loss. May your heart find comfort and his soul rest in peace. Bassam & Family
February 13, 2011
Bassam Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
We are sorry for your loss.
Bassam and Family
February 3, 2011
Jill Ortega-Ellis
Dear Ferguson Family,
Your father was a wonderful, beautiful, and loving man. I knew your father as a young girl. I worked for his company Collins and Ferguson. I was the Saturday girl. He was full of laughter, wisdom, and lived life to the fullest! I am so sorry for your loss he will be truly missed in our lives! Your father was a great mentor in my life. He and Debbie, Jodi, Lloyd and Willma filled my life with the confidence and leadership and working skills to be who I am today! and I thank them for their love and believing in me! I love them will all my heart! I think of them all. Everyday with the wisdom they gave me when I was young. My payers and love go out to your family. He was truly a great man and we all will miss him greatly!
Blessing and Love
Jill M. Ortega-Ellis
February 3, 2011
Jill Ortega-Ellis
Dear Ferguson Family,
Your father was a wonderful, beautiful person! I knew him when I was a young girl. I worked for his company while I was in high school. I was the Saturday girl. He, knew me before he had hired me. He was a judge for Centaurs High in picking out the cheerleaders. He would always says he had voted for me to be a cheerleader at Centaurs High School. Dick, Debbie, Jodi and Lloyd were truly great mentors for the youth. I will always be thankful for their love and leadership and wisdom of life! My prayers and love go out to you and your family. I am so sorry I did not that he had passed away but know in my heart he was a great man with great honor! and he will truly be missed!
Blessing and Love
Jill M. Ortega-Ellis
February 2, 2011
Bill Nesheim
Dick was one of the first businessmen I met when I started my business in Lafayette in 1981. He and Debbie were the "Ferguson" in Collins & Ferguson Realty, and it was always a pleasure to see him/them and he was truly an "icon" in eastern Boulder County. He leaves many, many friends in Lafayette/Louisville to mourn his passing.
February 2, 2011
Dunker Dave Hinds
Truly a membor of the 'greatest' generation. Coach Ferguson set an example of Good Sportsmanship to follow. And, 50 years later brought joy and new memories to our team. Thanks to Sue for sharing him with us.
February 2, 2011
Joe Weber
Dick was most certainly "first class" in that he was always very helpful, led many a successful endeavor and definitely left Leadville a better place than he'd found it. May he be remembered well.
February 2, 2011
Debbie Bergman
Dear Ferguson Family, I am sorry for your loss. Tracye and Mattie, I have wonderful memories of visiting your Dad's house and him sharing his memories of your family history with me. I am thankful for you sharing those visits with me. I am here for you and your family during these tough times.
February 1, 2011
Tracye and Mattie, our thoughts are with you. The comments and stories people have shared in the guest book reflect what an exceptional person your dad was. We know you will miss him. May your memories give you comfort.
Martha & Mike McCoy
January 31, 2011
Sister Maureen Kehoe
Dear Ferguson Family,
Your Dad died on the date of my Dad's birthday, January 25th. They were great pals in Leadville. My Dad, John M. Kehoe MD, and he were on the recreational board along with Ed Kelly, I think. They and others raised the money to build the new St. Vincent's Hospital there to replace the old one that had been declared necessary for replacement. They worked together to get Little League going in Leadville. They made the ice skating rink for us in the winter and tennis courts in the summer. Dick had put together a lot of original documents in a book to be published about these events. I do not know if the book ever got published, but he had sent me a chapter, or two, about ten years ago.
I remember as children on Saturdays we would go the the 6th Street gym for tumbling and then trampoline lessons buckled in a harness from the ceiling with Dick and older students, like Judy Arnold, guiding us and later we'd go to their home or the Moose Hall, was that the name, for tap lessons from Jan. The Recreation Department also got the swimming pool shaped up and provided swimming lessons. The little girls were so small. Susan,you had a horse there in the back yard. We were good friends, our families.
There was a young woman who was a gifted athlete who lived with your family. She died from a tragic ski accident. I don't recall her name. That was hard on your family and all of us then.
We missed you when you left Leadville. You were good at taking your Dad to Leadville at least once a year, after you became a doctor.
I was wondering about him the other day. I'm so glad that I saw this obituary notice via my classmates. May he rest in the peace of the Risen Christ.
How blessed we were to have such caring adults for us as we grew in age and wisdom!
Sister Maureen Kehoe
January 31, 2011
Debbie Ferguson
Dick, my husband of 20 years was truely dynamic, generous and charismatic: Anyone that met him loved him; He was 'fun'!
In Mexico he was well-known & loved as the Santa who visited the Orphanage and Children's Hospital with gifts & donations.
In Lafayette, where we lived, he contributed to the community as president of the Lions Club & Chamber of Commerce. He initiated/organized the Annual Avista Hospital Golf Tournament which helped to complete the maternity wing.
I have notified our good friends in France, Spain, Mexico and Lafayette who all send their sympathies.
I regret I am unable to attend the funeral to personally communicate to all of you how I share your sadness.
He and I have always shared a mutual respect and love for each other.
Debbie Ferguson
January 31, 2011
Rick Johnson
Fergusons, Your father did great things for Leadville while remaining a kind and thoughtful gentleman. My memories of long ago are pleasant. God bless you.
January 31, 2011
Rita Timpanaro
Maddie and Tracye, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Cherish all those great memories!
January 30, 2011
Karla Rodriguez
One of the finest man I ever known!Richard Ferguson, the santa Claus for many years in our neighborhood in Mazatlan, Mexico.My beloved friend who was my host many times at his home in Colorado.The reason my parents sent me to school in Colorado for 3 years and my mentor.He will be missed by everybody in Mazatlan.With tears in my eyes I write these words.I lit a candle today to guide him to the light and to honor him!God bless you my friend! >Karla Rodriguez
January 30, 2011
Bev Burk Wheeler
Dear Fergusons - Your Dad has always stayed in my memory as such a marvelous and respected instigator of all the sports programs in Leadville-always ready to support and organize things for kids and athletes. I also knew him as a realtor in Longmont, and just as successful in that endeavor. I took tap from Jan for years so remember you kids when you very young. Dick will be missed by all who knew him.
January 30, 2011
I was one of Susan's classmates in Leadville. God bless you all.
June Mehle VanHouten
January 30, 2011
Carolyn Hahn
Candy and sisters,your father was an impressive person. I have fond memories of the two occasions I spent in his home. I know his passing will be a big loss to all of you.
Carolyn Hahn
January 30, 2011
Page Tredennick
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Mattie. Cherish the memories!
January 30, 2011
Chris Collman
Tracye, I never had the honor of meeting your father, but knowing what a great person you are, I am certain he was an amazing man. Cherish the good times forever.
January 30, 2011
I remember what a dynamic man Dick Ferguson was. I was a friend of Susan's while they lived in Leadville. I'm sure his family will miss him greatly.
Karen Kaiser, Denver.
January 29, 2011
Alberta Mehle/Brower
He was a wonderful person that took pride in everything he did for his family and the community. It was sooo good to see him at the Sports Hall of Fame and think back; of memories, such as white washing the rocks with him,.. for a path at the park by the ballpark on 5th Street. HE WAS A GOOD MAN !!!!
January 29, 2011
Rich Montgomery
He was my coach in the late 50's Very nice well respected person.
Rich Montgomery
January 29, 2011
Vernon Olme
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 29, 2011
Tracye and Mattie, you know how much we loved and respected your father! Truly one of a kind. I have wonderful memories of our chats, strolling the farm, and his fabulous since of humor. He will be missed by so many. Prayers and deepest sympathies to all of you. Sherry, Jon and Lili
January 29, 2011
Ferguson Family: My sympathy to all of you. Dick was the very best neighbor to our Mother, Pauline Kilker, for a number of years. He checked up on her daily and always was there to do anything she needed. He enjoyed coming down to Mother's house to get a "jug of water" and he would often sit a visit for sometime with Mother. He was truly a good businessman, gentleman and friend to many people in the Lafayette, Louisville area.
Kay and Chuck Uran
Dean and Cathy Kilker
Lenny and Vicki Kilker
January 29, 2011
Mary Weber Smallwood
Richard was a wonderful person. He will be missed. He gives us good memories.
January 29, 2011
In another lifetime, my family was a neighbor in Leadville. Later in Blue River, south of Breckenridge, I was your neighbor again! I have fond memories of those days. Barbara Weber, aka Baldessari
January 29, 2011
Barbara Weber
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
January 28, 2011
Faith & Chad Atkins
Tracye & Mattie, our prayers are with you during this time. I know that you always had fond stories and memories to share about your Dad. Cherish those memories always!
January 28, 2011
Gwyn Barley
Dear Ferguson Family - Your Dad was a great person! My fondest memories of him were visiting the farmhouse with Tracye as a youth when it was next to the dairy farm. I will never forget how much he loved that house and the life he created there. Getting to stay there and know him better was one of the highlights of my growing up!
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