Lawrence Alan Merkel

Lawrence A. Merkel M.D. wrote his own obituary on January 28, 2026. He wrote: “I was born in 1946 in Annapolis Maryland, shortly thereafter moving to Topeka, Kansas. As I write this I am obviously not dead yet, as you are reading this you aren’t either. I grew up in Topeka Kansas, attending Topeka West High School ‘64, University of Kansas B.A. ‘68 and University of Kansas MD ‘72 with a Family Medicine Residency at Good Samaritan Hospital ‘75 in Phoenix Arizona. Moving to Fort Collins in 1975, shortly thereafter formed Fort Collins Family Physicians later to become part of Associates in Family medicine. Forty years as a family physician allowed me the privilege of caring for children, seniors as well as delivering many babies. I consider my patients as much friends as patients. I had the opportunity to be president of the Larimer County Medical Society, Colorado Foundation for Medical Care, and medical director for Columbine Health Services. Also special, was fifteen summers working part time for Yellowstone Park Medical Services. I met the most wonderful woman in the world, Sharon Rogers my senior year of medical school, and married 1 year later. We raised four sons, now happily married with five grandchildren. Throughout the years I enjoyed skiing, jogging, hiking, coaching my sons’ youth baseball as well as playing baseball and basketball until time caught up. Now golf is an adventure that escapes me. I will always be a forever fan of the Chiefs, Royals, Jayhawks and adopted Ram fan. As I approach the 18th hole of life, my bucket list is empty of wishes but full of wonderful times. While written perfectly, Larry’s family would love to add a little more. Family was everything to Larry. He proposed to the love of his life Sharon Rogers after just two months of dating, he said, “Why would I wait? I knew what I wanted.” He was certain he had found his forever love, and he was right. They married a year later. Together for almost 54 years, they built a beautiful life, raising a family full of boys, and later welcoming daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Their life was full of travel, kids, sports games, grandkids, gatherings with friends, and dinners by candlelight. He’d often say, “I am the luckiest” and “How lucky are we to have this family.” Larry was endlessly proud of his children and loved spending time with them. He adored his grandkids, and they brought him more joy than he ever could have imagined. He would often be seen on the sidelines of sports games and swim meets, or cuddled up on the couch making silly jokes with them. He treasured watching them grow into who they are today; celebrating each milestone, each personality, and every moment he was lucky enough to share with them. To Larry, being a family physician was both a privilege and an honor, one he carried with genuine gratitude and pride. He loved his patients and believed that real care reached beyond exam rooms and office hours. Caring for his patients as friends he’d say “Call me anytime, here’s my home number.” and he meant it. Larry’s friends were a treasure in his life, and he cherished them deeply. He was grateful to get to share in the joys and heartache decades of friendship offered him. Together they lived through the seasons of raising families, starting careers, weddings, welcoming grandchildren, retirements, travels around the world, and so much more. Larry knew he was a lucky man, and he never took for granted the gift of those who walked through life with him. Larry had a special appreciation for life’s simple joys. Whether cheering for the Jayhawks or his adopted CSU Rams, he was always happy when there was a game to catch. He loved sunsets, good wine, and dinners on the patio that lingered into the evening. He cherished the times when conversation flowed, laughter filled the air, stories were told, and he was surrounded by the ones he loved most. Larry often said his bucket list was empty because his life was so full. Cat Stevens, a favorite of his, sang it best, “Look at me, I am old, but I am happy.” He felt the same. Lar - Dad - Grandpa, we will love you always!

Tributes

Lawrence Alan Merkel

August 11, 1946 - February 2, 2026