David Walter Rich

David Walter Rich, known to his family and friends as Walt departed this life at 97 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado on December 7, 2021. He was born on August 12, 1924 a wagon on the way to the doctor in Vona, Colorado. At this time he and his family lived southeast of Seibert, Colorado. He spent most of his early life living southeast of Stratton, Colorado. He spent much of his time on his grandparents homestead south of Stratton. At the age of 14, he enlisted in the Colorado National Guard, Burlington Armory. This was not uncommon in this time. He remained in the Guard until the age of16 when his commander asked his mother if he could join full time and his mother said no. His early schooling started at the First Central School. He moved with his mother and family to Stratton to attend High School. He graduated high school in 1942 with his sister Lucille. He was behind a year because when he was in the 7th grade he took a job for Kenny Scheierman milking 42 cows morning and evening to support his family. After he moved to Stratton, his junior year he meet a young lady, Leona Meade and fell in love with her. After graduation, he was drafted and took an Army physical and was rejected due to a heart problem. This did not stop him, along with friends and family he tried several time to join the Army without any luck. He went to Portland, or and was hired by Kaiser to work on Liberty ships as a welder. A skill that stayed with him for his lifetime. With a little trickery with his brother Homer, he was able to join the Merchant Marines. At that time of war, Merchant Marines were part of the United States Coast. Also joining with him was his best friend, Vern Thompson. After basic training at Catalina Island. They ventured on 2 ocean voyages. The first one was to the Philippines Islands delivering cargo a week after the USA took back the islands. The second voyage was to Japan delivering troops for the occupation. He returned to Stratton, Colorado after an honorable discharge and married the love of his life, Leona, January 12, 1945. He went to Oregon for work and spent some time working in the timber industry for a short time. He returned to Stratton and worked at the Rock Island Railroad and at the Stratton Power Plant. In 1951, he was hired by the KC Electric Association working in Hugo and then Flagler. He started as a lineman and retired as a foreman. He also would work seconds jobs as an electrician, tree trimmer, helping Lyle Stone work on radios, televisions, and tall towers and with Ted Rillahan with the Flagler water system to name a few. He is survived and dearly missed by his son, Walter K. Rich and wife Roberta and their son Brad Rich, daughter Melissa (Drew) Shawver and daughter Stephanie. Their Grandchildren, Whitney and husband Tanner (Bond) and Aubrey Shawver. Sister in law; Sue Rich, nephews, a niece and their families. Also survived by and dearly missed by his son Kerry K. Rich, and daughters Heather and husband Andy (Wesp) and Susan and husband Andrew (Wozniak). His Grandchildren Laura Wesp, William West and June Wozniak. He is also survived by Vern Thomason (brother-in-law) and Juanita Morrow (sister-in-law) and by many nieces and nephews. He loved each and every one with all his heart. He also had some special friends that he considered family: Penny Cowgill and daughters Kimberly and Misty and their families, Carol Tatkenhorst and son Jay and daughter Lee Ann and their families.